Numerical simulation of thermal shock damage behavior of TiC_p/W composites

In order to promote the high temperature application of tungsten matrix composites reinforced by TiC particles (TiC_p/W), two finite element models based on the macro-shape of the specimen and the microstructure of the composites were proposed to simulate the damage behavior during the shock process caused by an oxyacetylene flame. The macro-damage simulation mode of TiC_p/W composites show that the crack initiates in the edge of the specimen and then propagates to the center zone. The micro damage mode of the microstructure shows that the crack initiates near the TiC_p/W interface and propagates in the tungsten matrix. The composite with high TiC contents are easily damaged by thermal shock. The TiC particles can not prevent the crack propagation in the tungsten matrix, and inversely, decreases the thermal shock resistance of the composites. The calculated results of the temperature curves of the heated surface and back surface of the specimens, and the macro and micro damage modes all agree well with the experimental results.