Gradual degradation in two-phase ceramic composites under compression

Abstract The paper is the extension of the previous article [1] , dealing with multiscale modelling of two-phase Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs), but now – subjected to compression state. It presents an unified multiscale approach to modelling of the CMC behaviour at different scales: micro- meso- and macro-. Within this approach cracks nucleation mechanisms and further growth along grain boundaries of the polycrystalline structure can be precisely described. A capability of the method was presented in numerical examples for two-phase composite made of alumina and zirconia. The main conclusion leads to the statement, that multiscale approach is a convenient tool for description of the CMC behaviour comprising gradual degradation, i.e. gradual decreasing of elastic material properties due to microdefects growth.