Micro-XCT-based finite element method for predicting the elastic modulus of needle carbon-fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composites

Abstract In this study, a finite element method was developed based on X-ray computer tomography to predict the elastic modulus of needle carbon-fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composites with voids randomly existing in the material. In these pictures, every pixel point contains all of the information of the components that we need, including voids. Using this information, the mechanical properties of components can be obtained, then a finite element model with voids was built and the predicted results fit well with the experiments. In addition, a volume average method was developed to determine the proper representative volume element size to reduce the computing time without losing the accuracy.