Title: Numerical simulation of the thermo-elastic behaviour for textile structured ceramic matrix composite bearings

Authors: B. Wielage, T. Muller, Th. Lampke

Addresses: Chemnitz University of Technology, D-09107 Chemnitz, Germany. ' Chemnitz University of Technology, D-09107 Chemnitz, Germany. ' Chemnitz University of Technology, D-09107 Chemnitz, Germany

Abstract: With the aim of simulating the thermo-elastic behaviour of a slide bearing with a sleeve made of woven fabric ceramic composite material, a new approach is used to determine the material properties of the composite. Therefore a small cutout of the fabric pattern was discretised with the Finite-Element Method (FEM). The properties of the woven roving part of the model come from the well-known methods for computing unidirectional composites. The model also allows for describing porosity and determining materials behaviour more accurately than other approaches. The calculated properties have been applied to another FEM model to simulate the thermo-elastic behaviour of the bearing, combining a steel bearing box and a Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) bearing sleeve. The main problem arises from the different thermal expansion coefficients of both materials. In the heating stage, the bearing surface changes its shape. Without constructive changes resulting from the simulation, the dissipation loss rises and leads to galling of the bearing. The article shows that the deformation can be predicted by means of the developed model.

Keywords: numerical simulation; slide bearings; ceramic matrix composites; CMC; woven fabric composites; thermal induced deformation; material properties; thermo-elastic behaviour; finite element method; FEM; bearing sleeve;dissipation loss; galling; heating.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMP.2008.016944

International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties, 2008 Vol.3 No.1, pp.65 - 76

Published online: 31 Jan 2008 *

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