Measurement of interfacial properties for aluminum and titanium matrix alloy composites manufactured by vacuum plasma spray

Continuous fiber silicon carbide/titanium and aluminum matrix composite monolayers were tested by means of an indentation technique to measure the interfacial shear strength. Experimental results were interpreted using two analytical models and compared to results of other researches in order to evaluate the interface quality obtained with a vacuum plasma spray fabrication method. The separate contribution of chemical bond and friction to the mechanical shear strength of the fiber-matrix interface is discussed. For aluminum matrix composites, the interface strength is mainly controlled by frictional force. For titanium matrix composites, chemical bond plays a primary role. The vacuum plasma spray process used needs further optimization work, but it is a very promising fabrication method for continuous fiber reinforced metal matrix composites.