5.1 Interlaminar delamination growth can be a critical failure mode in laminated CMC structures. Knowledge of the resistance to interlaminar delamination growth of a laminated CMC is essential for material development and selection, and for CMC component design. (See (1-8)3 which give G_Ic values of 20 J/m² to 800 J/m² for different CMC and carbon-carbon composite systems at ambient temperatures.)

5.2 Conducting this test produces multiple values of G_Ic which are traditionally plotted against the delamination length at which that value was measured (see Fig. 2). The specific data of value to the test requestor will depend on the end use that motivated testing.

5.2.1 The first increment of growth, initiated from a pre-implanted insert or machined notch, is sometimes described as the non-precracked (NPC) toughness. NPC toughness may be of interest, as it can represent manufacturing or processing defects, such as foreign object debris in a laminate or an error during machining.

5.2.2 The next increment of growth, initiated from the sharp crack tip assumed to be present after the first increment, is sometimes defined as the precracked (PC) toughness. PC toughness may be of interest, as it is more representative of the resistance to delamination growth from a naturally occurring or damage-induced delamination.

5.2.3 The remaining increments of growth, collectively forming an R-curve, provide information on how G_Ic evolves as the delamination advances. In unidirectional tape laminates, the R-curve is often increasing due to bridging of nested fibers across the delamination plane, artificially increasing G_Ic. For 2-D woven laminates for which there is little interply nesting, the R-curve may be flat.

5.2.4 The increments of growth in which the R-curve is flat, and G_Ic has reached a steady state value defined as G_IR, may be of interest and may also useful in design and analysis.

5.3 This test method for measurement of G_Ic of CMC materials can serve the following purposes:

5.3.1 To establish quantitatively the effect of CMC material variables (fiber interface coatings, matrix structure and porosity, fiber architecture, processing and environmental variables, conditioning/exposure treatments, etc.) on G_Ic and the interlaminar crack growth and damage mechanisms of a particular CMC material;

5.3.2 To determine if a CMC material shows R-curve behavior where G_Ic changes with crack extension or reaches a stable value at a given amount of delamination growth. Fig. 2 shows R-curve behavior for a SiC-SiC composite (1);

5.3.3 To develop delamination failure criteria and design allowables for CMC damage tolerance, durability or reliability analyses, and life prediction;

Note 3: Test data can only reliably be used for this purpose if there is confidence that the test is yielding a material property and not a structural, geometry-dependent, property.

5.3.4 To compare quantitatively the relative values of G_Ic for different CMC materials with different constituents and material properties, reinforcement architectures, processing parameters, or environmental exposure conditions; and

5.3.5 To compare quantitatively the values of G_Ic obtained from different batches of a specific CMC material, to perform lot acceptance quality control, to use as a material screening criterion, or to assess batch variability.

1.1 This test method describes the experimental methods and procedures for the determination of the critical mode I interlaminar strain energy release rate of continuous fiber- reinforced ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials in terms of G_Ic. This property is also sometimes described as the mode I fracture toughness or the mode I fracture resistance.

1.2 This test method applies primarily to ceramic matrix composite materials with a 2-D laminate structure, consisting of lay-ups of continuous ceramic fibers, in unidirectional tape or 2-D woven fabric architectures, within a brittle ceramic matrix.

1.3 This test method determines the elastic strain energy released per unit of new surface area created as a delamination grows at the interlaminar interface between two lamina or plies. The term delamination is used in this test method to specifically refer to this type of growth, while the term crack is a more general term that can also refer to matrix cracking, intralaminar delamination growth, or fiber fracture.

1.4 This test method uses a double cantilever beam (DCB) specimen to determine the critical mode I interlaminar strain energy release rate (G_Ic). A DCB test method has been standardized for polymer matrix composites (PMCs) under Test Method D5528. This test method addresses a similar procedure, but with modifications to account for the different physical properties, reinforcement architectures, stress-strain response, and failure mechanisms of CMCs compared to PMCs.

1.5 This test is written for ambient temperature and atmospheric test conditions, but the test method can also be used for elevated temperature or environmental exposure testing with the use of an appropriate environmental test chamber, measurement equipment for controlling and measuring the chamber temperature, humidity, and atmosphere, high temperature gripping fixtures, and modified equipment for measuring delamination growth.

1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.6.1 Values expressed in this test method are in accordance with the International System of Units (SI) and IEEE/ASTM SI 10.

1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazard statements are given in Section 8.

1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.