Transverse mechanical properties of titanium matrix composites (TMCs) play an important role during its engineering service. Although SiC_f / TC17 composite is one of the most promising TMC candidates for aeroengine, as we know its transverse properties have not been reported yet until now. In this work, the transverse strength of single SiC fiber reinforced TC17 composite was evaluated using cruciform specimen. The surface and cross-section of fractured specimen were investigated by SEM to determine the failure position during tensile test. Finite element simulation method was also used to analyze the mechanism of interfacial failure and crack propagation. During the transverse tensile test of single fiber specimen, the initial non-linearity in the stress-strain curve occurred at the stress of (271±12) MPa, which indicated the beginning of fiber-matrix interface failure. SEM observation showed that the crack in the center of sample appeared at the interface of reaction layer and carbon coating with a 24°~68° angle to the applied loading direction and its length extended with the increase of the applied stress. The finite element simulation results based on bilinear cohesive element model showed that transverse fracture of composite interface was shear failure mode, which agreed well with the test results. Before the occurrence of non-linearity in the stress-strain curve, the crack initiated at the circular interface between reaction layer and carbon coating with a 40°~50° angle to the applied loading direction. Crack initiation locations in test samples were different with those in simulation samples, because the actual composite interface was rough and some micro-flaws formed in the interface, whereas it was assumed to be an ideal rigid interface for simulation. Then the crack propagated along both circumferential and axial directions because of the shear stress. With the crack growing, the interface close to 0°angle to the applied loading direction failed first caused by the radial tensile stress, whereas the interface near 90° failed later as a result of circumferential shear stress. After complete failure of the interface, stress redistribution occurred around the SiC fiber and the interface separation increased with the increasing of the applied load, which gave rise to the yielding and deforming of the matrix near fiber until the final fracture of the composite.