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 °C. Glass fibres (Vetrotex®), crystalline oxide ceramic fibres (Nextel®) 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 ∼30% 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.