Oxidation of titanium matrix composites

1 Oxidation of fibre-reinforced titanium matrix composites 

A survey of the open literature indicated that the information available on the oxidation behaviour of continuous fibre-reinforced TMCs is extremely limited, although much work has been carried out to characterise the performance of these composite systems under severe mechanical loadings and temperature variations. Studies on the mechanical behaviours of fibre-reinforced TMCs clearly demonstrated that temperature and atmosphere had quite strong influences on the mechanical response of the material systems. Tests at elevated temperatures and in oxygen-containing atmospheres normally 

On the other hand, if all fibres are covered completely with matrix, oxidation of the composite system will be limited to the surface (as long as there are no cracks), and the process is diffusion controlled. In this way, the oxidation performance of the composite will mainly rely on the oxidation resistance of the matrix alloy. However, in most real applications, this is not the case. The interface between the fibre and the matrix always has a large number of physical defects, which provide additional transportation routes for attacking gas species. 

2 Oxidation of particulate or whisker reinforced titanium matrix composites 

Due to their easy fabrication, studies on the mechanical properties and oxidation performance of particulate or whisker reinforced TMCs are more active in 

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