NANOSTRUCTURE OF INTERLAYERS IN DIFFERENT NICALON FIBER GLASS MATRIX COMPOSITES AND THEIR EFFECT ON MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES

Interlayer phenomena, revealed by high-voltage electron microscopy (HV EM) and high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM), are presented as t hey occur in various SiC(Nicalon) fibre-reinforced Duran glass composi tes (differing in the specific sol-ger supported production processes) . Their dependence on the production parameters and their influence on the materials properties are discussed, taking into account the resul ts of scanning electron microscope (SEM) in situ tensile tests. Beside s graphitic carbon, textured to a variable degree and influencing the tensile behaviour, oxycarbide formation is indicated. A reactive matri x additive, such as, e.g. TiO2, resulted in a decrease in strength and a brittle behaviour, while the addition of ZrO2 markedly improves the mechanical properties.