Toughening Behavior and Interfacial Properties of Fiber-Reinforced Ceramic Composites

Toughening of ceramics by incorporating strong fibers has become an established technology, resulting in the creation of a new generation of tough ceramic composites. This toughening effect is primarily due to bridging of the crack surfaces by intact fibers when the composite is subjected to tension. The fiber bridging mechanisms, which are contingent upon the stress transfer phenomena between the fiber and the matrix, are reviewed in this paper. The critical role of the properties at the fiber/matrix interface in controlling the stress transfer phenomena is examined. Finally, evaluations of the interfacial properties of the composite by the indentation technique and the corresponding analysis are presented.