INTERFACIAL FAILURE IN CERAMIC FIBRE GLASS COMPOSITES/

The interfacial micromechanics have been investigated for single-fibre model composites consisting of single PRD-166 alumina/zirconia fibres , both carbon-coated and uncoated, in a glass matrix using fluorescenc e spectroscopy to follow axial fibre deformation. It has been shown th at the presence of the carbon coating leads to a weaker interface. The fibre-matrix interface for the coated fibres is found to break down a t lower levels of matrix strain than for the uncoated fibres when the composite is subjected to axial tensile deformation. The maximum inter facial shear stress is also found to be lower for the carbon-coated fi bres.