Continuous Fiber Reinforced Titanium Matrix Composites: Fabrication, Properties, and Applications

Titanium matrix composites (TMCs) have been developed as high performance materials for light weight structural applications. The materials are comprised of a silicon carbide (SiC) fiber embedded in a titanium matrix, thus making use of the high strength of the SiC fibers, their high stiffness and creep resistance at elevated temperatures combined with the damage tolerance of titanium alloys. Since materials properties are closely related to the quality of the fabrication process, TMC processing is of major importance. Moreover, reinforcement‐induced anisotropy of the material and thermal residual stresses formed during the consolidation process must be considered and understood for proper component design. Finally, modeling using FE methods reduces the time needed for component development and helps to elucidate failure mechanisms of the material.