Characterization techniques for composites and other advanced materials

One of the key requirements in developing composites and other advanced mat erials is generation of a good understanding of the relationships between c omposition and structure on the one hand, and properties and behavior on th e other. Another key requirement is application of this understanding to de velop a material with the desired properties. A third key requirement is to understand the new material's failure mechanisms. All of these are wrapped in the term "characterization", which is the subject of this paper. Applic ation of numerous materials' characterization techniques to the study of ce ramic composites is described. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights re served.