ELECTRON-MICROSCOPY OF FAILURE IN A FIBROUS COMPOSITE-MATERIAL BASED ON A GLASS-CERAMIC

A study is made on the features of failure in a fibrous composite mate rial in relation to the volume proportion of reinforcement. Fractograp hic analysis shows that failure in such a material begins at the matri x-fiber interfaces and is independent of the volume proportion of rein forcing phase, being distinguished by fracture crack propagation occur ring in concentric regions of tensile stresses and involving brittle f ailure in the glass-ceramic matrix. The failure rate at the matrix-fib er interfaces is related to the adhesive strength of the glass ceramic -stainless steel system and the cohesive strength and dissipativeness of the glass-ceramic matrix, and it alters substantially as the volume proportion of the reinforcement increases.