the application of a micro-indentation technique for the measurement of interfacial mechanical properties in a fiber-reinforced cement composite has been examined. the composite was formed by placing aligned sic fiber tows between macro-defect-free (mdf) cement sheets after which the compact was warm pressed at 6.89 mpa (1000 psi) at 80 degrees c. the interfacial characteristics of the composite were varied by modifying the surfaces of the fibers prior to their incorporation into the matrix these modifications included either an application of a stearic acid film or 1000 degrees c gas phase treatments in air, oxygen, or nitrogen for one hour. these four fiber surface treatments served as the independent parameter for the mechanical testing analysis. the interfacial characteristics, including the shear, the residual axial fiber, and debond stresses, were evaluated with a mechanical properties microprobe by measuring the force/displacement curves generated during load-unload cycling