The influence of heat treatment on the fiber/matrix interface in a SiC-reinforced glassceramic

Abstract

Fiber or whisker reinforced ceramics show improved toughness and strength. Bridging by intact fibers in the crack wake and fiber pull-out after failure contribute to the additional toughness. These processes are strongly influenced by the sliding and debonding resistance of the interfacial region. The present study examines the interface in a laminated 0/90 composite consisting of SiC (Nicalon) fibers in a lithium-aluminum-silicate (LAS) glass-ceramic matrix. The material shows systematic changes in sliding resistance upon heat treatment.As-processed samples were annealed in air at 800 °C for 2, 4, 8, 16 and 100 h, and for comparison, in helium at 800 °C for 4 h. TEM specimen preparation of as processed and annealed material was performed with special care by cutting along directions having the fibers normal and parallel to the section plane, ultrasonic drilling, dimpling to 100 pm and final ionthinning. The specimen were lightly coated with Carbon and examined in an analytical TEM operated at 200 kV.