Vibration fatigue life prediction method for needled C/SiC composite based on frequency response curve with low signal strength

•1. The expression of the natural frequency was proposed by the initial natural frequency.•2. SN curve related to the number of 0° layer fibers for needled composite is proposed.•3. Amplitude probability density function was proposed for predicting the fatigue life. The experimental results show that needled C/SiC composite exhibits nonlinear stiffness characteristics in the process of vibration. In order to consider the effect of the number of fiber layers on the fatigue properties, the SN curve related to the number of 0° layer fibers for needled C/SiC composite is proposed in this investigation. According to the relationship between the frequency response curve and the signal strength, an amplitude probability density function under narrow band random vibrations was proposed for predicting the fatigue life for the notched plate specimen. The results showed that the proposed method has a good prediction effect.