Optomechanical glass matrix composites

Transparent fibre reinforced glass matrix composites were made by sandwiching different types of oxide fibres between soda-lime glass slides and subsequent heat-treatment at 715 degreesC. Glass fibres (Vetrotex(R)), crystalline oxide ceramic fibres (Nextel(R)) with and without TiO2 coating and basalt fibres were used. Composites with both unidirectionally aligned long fibres and randomly orientated chopped fibres (length < 2 mm) were prepared. The light transmittance of the composites in the visible region was high in all cases, being only similar to30% lower than that of the soda-lime glass matrix. Only the TiO2 coated fibres however showed favourable fracture behaviour, characterised by partial delamination and limited fibre fibre pull-out, which is due to the optimal matrix/fibre interfacial bond provided by the coating. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.