Evaluation of Interfacial Properties of Fiber-Reinforced Ceramic Composites Using a Mechanical Properties Microprobe

The application of a mechanical properties microprobe to evaluate the interfacial properties of fiber-reinforced ceramic composites is addressed. The stress–displacement relation of the embedded fiber, which is subjected to an axial loading–unloading cycle, is analyzed. The interfacial bonding, Coulomb friction at the debonded interface, Poisson's effect of the loaded fiber, and residual stresses are included in the analysis, and closed-form analytical solutions are obtained. Based on the analytical solutions, a methodology is established to extract the interfacial properties from experimental stress–displacement curves. The roles of interfacial bonding, Poisson's effect, and residual axial stresses on the residual fiber displacement after complete unloading are also addressed in the present study.