Tension and compression moduli characterization of a bimodular ceramic-fiber reinforced SiO2 aerogel composite

Comprehensive characterization mechanical properties of aerogels and their composites are important for engineering design. In particular, some aerogel composites were reported to have varied tension and compression moduli. But conducting tension tests is difficult for the reason that low strength and brittleness will lead to unexpected failure in the non-test area. A method is presented for measuring both the tension and compression moduli of a ceramic-fiber reinforced SiO2 aerogel composite by bending via digital image correlation. First, the relationship between bending behavior and the tension/compression moduli was introduced for bimodular materials. Then a bending test was conducted to predict tension and the compression moduli of the ceramicfiber- reinforced SiO2 aerogel composite via digital image correlation. In addition, uniaxial tension and compression tests of the aerogel composites were carried out, respectively for measuring tension and compression moduli. The tension and compression moduli measured were numerically similar to results obtained from uniaxial tests with a difference of less than 14 %.