Microstructures of ceramic composites with glass–ceramic matrices reinforced by SiC-based fibres

A lot of studies have been carried out on the fibre/matrix interfaces in glass–ceramic matrix composites reinforced by SiC based fibres. Chemical and structural analyses at the nanometer scale have shown that the fibre/matrix interface has a very complex structure consisting of several sublayers. The most important point is the existence of a thin carbon layer which is often found textured close to the fibre. This carbon layer acts as a mechanical fuse with a low or extremely low interfacial debonding energy. The mechanism responsible of the carbon formation and of the complex interfacial microstructure is still mater of controversy. This review will be focused on the microstructure of the interfacial region and on the different techniques which have been used to obtain chemical and microstructural parameters of the fibre/matrix interfaces in a large variety of glass–ceramic composites. The approaches concerning the SiC/BN dual-coated Nicalon SiC fibre-reinforced BMAS matrix composites will be described as well as the thermomechanical properties of this class of glass–ceramic composites and future research.