Experimental and Numerical Investigation on Strain Rate-Dependent Tensile Behavior of ZrB2–SiC Ceramic Composite

In this study, the strain rate-dependent dynamic tensile behavior of ZrB 2 -20%SiC ceramic composite was investigated using experimental and numerical approaches. The split Hopkinson pressure bar apparatus was used to measure the dynamic splitting tensile response at strain rates of 17–67 s - 1 . The experiment results demonstrate a significant strain rate dependence of the dynamic tensile behavior of the ZrB 2 –SiC ceramic composite. The dynamic tensile strength increased linearly with the strain rate, from 288 MPa at 17 s - 1 to 654 MPa at 67 s - 1 . Moreover, a strain rate-dependent tensile strength was introduced into a modified JH-2 model to describe the dynamic tensile behavior and fracture process of ZrB 2 –SiC ceramics. The numerical results of dynamic tensile strength agree well with the experimental result. Moreover, the fracture process of ZrB 2 –SiC ceramics under dynamic tension was further studied by combining high-speed images and numerical results. The effect of strain rate on the fracture process and failure patterns of the ZrB 2 –SiC ceramic composite could be verified by the modified JH-2 model.