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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
The effect of a Ag/Ta coating on the fracture resistance of a notched SCS-6 fiber-reinforced Ti3Al matrix composite under both static and fatigue loading was investigated. The crack propagation patterns and damage mechanisms under various loading conditions were characterized and compared with the uncoated composite counterparts. The results show that the Ag/Ta-coated composites exhibit typical mode-I failure patterns under both static and fatigue loading, while mixed mode-I & H failure patterns were observed in the uncoated SCS-6/Ti-25-10 composite. Localized interfacial debonding, matrix cracking and fiber fracture in the crack wake were the responsible damage mechanisms for the Ag/Ta-coated SCS-6/Ti-25-10 composite. Extensive interfacial debonding, crack splitting and branching, however, were found to be the dominant mechanisms in the uncoated SCS-6/Ti-25-10 composite.