Volume 16, Issue 4, 2007

INTERFACE CHARACTERIZATION AND PERFORMANCE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FIBRE-REINFORCED STRUCTURAL COMPOSITES

Theodore E. Matikas

Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Ioannina University Campus, 45110 Ioannina, Greece

Received 2 August ; accepted 19 September 2007

ABSTRACT

The present work deals with the characterization of interfacial properties for the development and life prediction of metal matrix and ceramic matrix composites. Advanced non-destructive methods are developed for this endeavour. An innovative micro-mechanics parameter is introduced for evaluating the fibre/matrix interfacial shear stiffness. The interface elastic property both in metal matrix and ceramic matrix composites is determined using the shear-wave back reflectivity (SBR) ultrasonic technique. By means of this approach, the effect of residual radial stresses on the interfacial shear elastic property is quantified. In addition, the interface shear strength is determined in model metal matrix composites by in-situ monitoring of fibre fragmentation using an original ultrasonic technique for imaging fibre breaks of a few micrometers in width. Finally, the interfacial stress at fracture is evaluated in-situ in metal matrix composites using ultrasonic nondestructive monitoring of interfacial deformation and failure under incremental transverse loading of the fibre embedded in the matrix.

Keywords: Metal Matrix Composites, Ceramic Matrix Composites, Consolidation, Interface Elastic Property, Fibre Fragmentation, Interface Transverse Property