Multiscale Investigation of the Effects of Thermal and Mechanical Properties on the Performance of Advanced Materials

The exploration of advanced materials is essential for the development of aerospace and defense technologies. This thesis presents a comprehensive study of the thermomechanical testing and characterization of ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) alongside the mechanical testing and characterization of meteorites. CMCs are emerging as the top choice for applications requiring materials that can withstand very high temperatures under mechanical stress without compromising their structural integrity. CMCs combine the properties of a high-strength fiber with those of a ceramic matrix to achieve optimal toughness and thermal stability. This research involves thermomechanical testing of CMCs to evaluate their material performance under simulated operational conditions. The results of this testing provide valuable insights into the material behavior of CMCs in very high-temperature environments and under various mechanical loading schemes. This study focuses on understanding the microstructure of CMCs and how the microstructural properties affect the material’s overall performance. Additionally, this thesis investigates the properties of meteorites to offer insight into the materials and processes that led to the formation of our solar system. By subjecting meteorite samples to mechanical testing that simulates a meteoroid’s entry into the Earth’s atmosphere, this thesis explains how the microstructure of L6 ordinary chondrite meteorites affects its mechanical properties. This research juxtaposes the engineered thermomechanical properties of advanced CMCs with the naturally occurring mechanical properties of meteorites.