CARBON-FIBER-REINFORCED (YMAS) GLASS-CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITES .1. PREPARATION, STRUCTURE AND FRACTURE STRENGTH

Unidirectional continuous carbon-fibre-reinforced glass-ceramic matrix composites are fabricated for dry sliding applications. The microstru cture of the matrix has been characterized by X-ray diffraction and th e microtexture and structure of the fibres (pitch-based and PAN-based) have been studied by transmission electronic microscopy. The differen t fracture behaviours of the composites are described (three-point ben d rest and fracture surface observation by scanning electronic microsc opy). Due to the thermal expansion mismatch between the fibres and the matrix, a network of microcracks appears in the composites on cooling after hot-pressing. The relationship between the microcrack spacing a nd the fracture behaviour suggests modifications of the fibre-matrix b ond. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Limited.