Methodology for the determination of the interfacial properties of brittle matrix composites

The interfacial properties of a glass-ceramic matrix composite (SiC/CAS) were determined from single-fibre push-out tests using the interfacial test system. The coefficient of friction, μ, the residual clamping stress, σ_c, and fibre axial residual stress, σ_z, were extracted by fitting the experimental stress versus fibre-end displacement curves using the models of Hsueh, and Kerans and Parthasarathy. Using Hsueh's model, the intrinsic interfacial frictional stress (τ=μσ_c) was found to be 11.1±3.2 MPa, whereas by using Kerans-Parthasarathy's model it was found to be 8.2±1.5 MPa. Comparisons between these models are included, together with a discussion of data analysis techniques.