Interfacial failure mechanism in tungsten fiber reinforced copper-based composites fabricated by combustion synthesis melt infiltration under ultra-high gravity

Tungsten fiber reinforced copper-based composites were successfully fabricated by a new method called combustion synthesis melt infiltration under ultra-high gravity. Between the tungsten fibers and the copper matrix, an interlayer consisting of W18O49 needles was observed at the surface of the pickled tungsten fibers. The interfacial strength was measured by the push-out test. For the tungsten fibers with a WO3 surface layer, the failure happened at the interface between the WO3 layer and the copper matrix by the debonding failure mechanism. For the case with the formation of a W18O49 interlayer, the failure happened at the interface between the W18O49 interlayer and tungsten fibers by the brittle failure model, which improved the interfacial strength. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.