Computational design of ultra-high temperature ceramic composite materials

The microstructure of a ZrB2/ZrC/Zr-Si composite was analyzed using the finite element methods. Factors such as the size of ZrB2 fibers, ZrCx precipitates, ZrSix precipitates, and ZrO2 precipitates that are being considered to have an influence on the durability of the composite at high temperatures were investigated by performing a full factorial Design of experiments. This has been done by creating the microstructure models of a ZrB2/ZrC/Zr-Si with varying parameter combinations utilizing the software Altair Hypermesh. For analyzing the model, the Lagrangian solution technique has been employed by the finite element solver LS-DYNA. This method of analysis is useful in deriving the distribution of stresses and strains in the microstructure which is usually difficult to obtain analytically. The computational analysis showed that the concentration of ZrB2 and ZrCx phases has a significant effect on the strain developed in the microstructure. The size of SiO 2 and ZrSix precipitates does not appreciably influence the durability of the microstructure. The maximum effective strain was observed in the substrate