Simulation of Impact and Fragmentation of SiC Skeleton

Silicon carbide foam is a promising material for high-temperature use because it has excellent thermal shock resistance and strength, low thermal conductivity, and excellent chemical resistance. Up till now SiC foam was analyzed under quasi-static compression and 4- and 3-point bending. This paper attempts for the first time to numerically analyze the SiC foam properties under impact conditions. Using the peridynamical approach it was possible to describe damage initiation, its dynamical growth, and the final fragmentation of the foam. The major conclusions resulting from the analysis are that for high impact velocities damage initiates much earlier compared to low-velocity impact, and the modes of failure are qualitatively different.