Abstract: A ceramic composite material comprising matrix material, reinforcing fibers and an intermediate interface material. The matrix material and reinforcing fibers consist of the same or different ceramic oxides having a melting point above 1600.degree. C. The interface material is applied as a coating on the fibers and consists of at least one ceramic oxide not exhibiting solid solubility, eutecticum below the temperature of manufacture or use or reactivity with any of the matrix or reinforcing materials. The matrix and reinforcing materials are substantially pure, and the combination fiber/interface material/matrix material is selected from the group consisting of: Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 /Al.sub.2 TiO.sub.5 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, YAG/Al.sub.2 TiO.sub.5 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 /YAG/Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 /SnO.sub.2 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, YAG/SnO.sub.2 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 /mullite/Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, and mullite/ZrO.sub.2 /mullite.

Abstract: The mechanical behavior of a given component formed from reinforcing ceramic fibers enclosed in a ceramic matrix is determined by subjecting a dummy component to mechanical testing. The dummy component is formed from low modulus organic resin fibers enclosed in a matrix of an organic resin having a correspondingly low modulus. The organic resin fibers have the same configuration and fiber architecture as those of the ceramic fibers.