Abstract
The strength and fracture characteristics of fibres of the intermetallic phase Cu6Sn5 were determined. It was found that the fibres were brittle and exhibited a size-strength effect. This size-strength effect was explained in terms of the stress concentrations associated with surface steps on the fibres and after allowance for the stress concentration factor their ideal fracture stress was estimated as E/25 where E is Young's modulus. The fracture morphology was principally plane cleavage with some evidence of river markings. These river markings were attributed to lattice disturbances set up ahead of the propagating cleavage crack. From the results it is concluded that intermetallic fibres can be utilized as high strength fibres in a fibre-reinforced composite.

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