Volume 16, Issue 5, 2007, Pages 181-192

ANALYSIS OF LOAD TRANSFER BEHAVIOUR AND DETERMINATION OF INTERFACIAL SHEAR STRENGTH IN SINGLE-FIBRE-REINFORCED TITANIUM ALLOYS

Theodore E. Matikas

Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Ioannina, University Campus, 45110 Ioannina, Greece, E-mail: matikas@otenet.gr

Received 16 July 2007; accepted 21 September 2007

ABSTRACT

The effect of interfaces on load sharing behaviour has been evaluated by performing single fibre fragmentation (SFF) experiments and analysis of titanium matrix composites at ambient and elevated temperatures. Fibre breaks were monitored by acoustic emission sensors, and the break locations were determined in-situ by an innovative ultrasonic non-destructive evaluation technique. Data analysis of SFF testing was performed using the Kelly Tyson model. The length of fibre fragments and distribution were determined using innovative nondestructive technique. This study demonstrates that composite processing conditions can significantly affect the nature of the fibre/matrix interface and the resulting fragmentation behaviour of the fibre. Further, thermal micro-residual stresses, generated during the fabrication process and in-service due to the difference in thermo-mechanical characteristics of the model composite’s constituents, play a major role influencing the interfacial shear stress transfer behaviour in single-fibre titanium matrix composites.

Keywords: Fibre/matrix interface, fibre fragmentation, titanium, metal matrix composites