Structural Optimization of Biomorphic Microcellular Ceramics by Homogenization Approach

For the last decade material synthesis from biological structures has become of increasing interest. Various biotemplating high-temperature techniques were developed to convert natural grown materials into ceramic and composite materials. A new class of structural materials, biomorphic microcellular silicon carbide ceramics from wood, was recently technically produced. It could be of particular interest for applications in acoustic and heat insulation structures. In the attempt to optimize mechanical performances of the microstructured ceramic composites such as the compliance or the bending strength, we have applied the homogenization method. The macroscale model was obtained assuming a periodical distribution of the composite microstructure with a square periodicity cell.