Abstract
The introduction of metallic fibres in a ceramic refractory matrix can limit its intrinsic brittle behaviour. Microstructural investigations, micromechanical and macromechanical tests have been performed for a better understanding of the thermomechanical behaviour of such composites. Results of pullout tests are presented and discussed. For non-inclined fibres, results allow to quantify the effect of a first heating on the microstructure and on the pullout performances. During the second heating the development of a fretting pressure at fibre/matrix interfaces has a beneficial effect on the pullout performances.When introducing a fibre inclination angle, supplementary pullout micromechanisms are observed and described.They can have a beneficial effect on the pullout performances. Results of macroscopic tensile tests are shown and discussed too. Analytical models have been developed to predict and to quantify the effect of variations in material parameters and/or in testing conditions. Links are established between the results of the micromechanical and macromechanical approaches both from an experimental and from a modelling point of view.