Silicon Carbide Platelet/Alumina Composites: II, Mechanical Properties

The mechanical properties, i.e., Young's modulus, fracture toughness, and flexural strength, of SiC-platelet/Al₂O₃ composites with two different platelet sizes were studied. Both Young's modulus and the fracture toughness of composites using small platelets (12 μm) increased with increasing SiC volume fraction. Maximum values for toughness and Young's modulus of 7.1 MPa·m^1/2 and 421 GPa were obtained for composites containing 30 vol% platelets. Composites fabricated using larger platelets (24 μm), however, showed spontaneous microcracking at SiC volume fractions of ≤0.15. The presence of microcracks decreased Young's modulus and the fracture toughness substantially. Two types of radial microcracks were identified by optical microscopy and found to be consistent with a residual stress analysis. Anisotropy in fracture toughness was identified with a crack length indentation technique. Cracks propagating in a plane parallel to platelet faces experienced the least resistance, which was the the lowest toughness plane in platelet composites with preferred orientation. Enhanced fracture toughness was found in the plane parallel to the hot-pressing direction, but no anisotropy in toughness was observed in this plane. The flexural strength of alumina showed a decrease from 610 to 480 MPa for a 30 vol% composite and was attributed to the presence of the platelets.     

Silicon Carbide Platelet/Silicon Carbide Composites

α-silicon carbide platelet/β-silicon carbide composites have been produced in which the individual platelets were coated with an aluminum oxide layer. Hot-pressed composites showed a fracture toughness as high as 7.2 MPa·m^1/2. The experiments indicated that the significant increase in fracture toughness is mainly the result of crack deflection and accompanying platelet pullout. The coating on the platelets also served to prevent the platelets from acting as nucleation sites for the α- to β-phase transformation, so that the advantageous microstructure remains preserved during high-temperature processing.     

Silicon Carbide Platelet/Alumina Composites: I, Effect of Forming Technique on Platelet Orientation

SiC-platelet-reinforced Al₂O₃-matrix composites were made by three different forming techniques, i.e., slip casting, tape casting, and dry compaction of a granulated powder. All samples were densified with hot pressing at 1650°C and 25 MPa for 0.5 h. The orientation of SiC platelets in the composites was studied before and after hot pressing using optical microscopy and a pole figure X-ray device. X-ray diffraction of the (0006) plane of silicon carbide (6H) was used to analyze the degree of preferred orientation. It was found that both tape casting and die pressing could give rise to preferred orientation in green bodies with the faces of SiC platelets parallel to the tape faces or perpendicular to the pressing direction, respectively. The preferred orientation in die-pressed samples also showed an increase with the increase of the compaction stress; however, this reached a saturation level at about 70 MPa in a similar way to the green density. Samples formed by slip casting gave a platelet orientation close to a random one in the green body. After hot pressing, preferred orientation was observed in both slip-cast and tape-cast samples with the faces of SiC platelets perpendicular to the direction of hot pressing. The effect of platelet size on the orientation was also investigated. The preferred orientation in platelet composites was found to yield higher toughness than the random state.     

Mechanical Properties of Alumina/Silicon Carbide Whisker Composites

The improvement of mechanical properties of Al₂O₃/SiC whisker composites has been studied with emphasis on the effects of the whisker content and of the hot-pressing temperature. Mechanical properties such as fracture toughness and fracture strength increased with increasing whisker content up to 40 wt%. In the case of the high SiC whisker content of 40 wt%, fracture toughness of the sample hot-pressed at 1900° decreased significantly, in spite of densification, compared with one hot-pressed at 1850°. Fracture toughness strongly depended on the microstructure, especially the distribution of SiC whiskers rather than the grain size of the Al₂O₃ matrix.     

Alumina/Silicon Carbide Laminated Composites by Spark Plasma Sintering

Ceramic laminates composed of alumina/silicon carbide composite layers were produced by spark plasma sintering (SPS). Monolithic composite disks containing up to 30 vol% of silicon carbide were fabricated by stacking together and cosintering by SPS green layers prepared by tape casting water-based suspensions. An engineered laminate with a specific layer combination that is able to promote the stable growth of surface defects before final failure was also designed and produced. Fully dense materials with an optimum adhesion between the constituting layers and a homogeneous distribution of the two phases were obtained after SPS. Monolithic composites showed an increasing strength with SiC load, and biaxial strength values as high as 700 MPa were observed for a SiC content of 30 vol%. The engineered laminate showed a peculiar crack propagation that is responsible for the high strength value of about 600 MPa and for the evident insensitivity to surface defects.     

Fracture Toughness Anisotropy and Toughening Mechanisms of a Hot-pressed Alumina Reinforced with Silicon Carbide Whiskers

The fracture toughness of a hot-pressed alumina and that of a hot-pressed alumina/SiC-whisker composite containing 33 vol% SiC whiskers were measured by four-point bending on single-edge precracked bend bars having sharp precracks created by "bridge indentation." Two batches of the composite were examined, one exhibiting a greater degree of whisker clustering than the other. The fracture toughness of the alumina was around 4 MN·m^-3/2 whereas that of the composite varied between 5 and 8 MN·m^-3/2 depending on microstructural uniformity and crack-propagation direction. Crack deflection in combination with a change in fracture from intergranular to transgranular fracture is proposed as an explanation of the superior fracture toughness of SiC-whisker-reinforced alumina as compared to unreinforced alumina. The composite exhibited a variation in fracture toughness with the crack-propagation direction in identical crack planes. This effect could with good accuracy be described in terms of crack deflection for the composite with uniform whisker distribution. However, in the material with whisker clustering the variation of the fracture toughness with crack-growth direction was greater and could not entirely be explained by crack deflection.     

Toughening Behavior of Silicon Carbide with Additions of Yttria and Alumina

The fracture-toughness-determining mechanism of silicon carbide with additions of yttria and alumina was studied. Observations of indentation crack profiles revealed that significant crack deflection had occurred. Median deflection angles increased with increased volume fractions of the second phases, which was accompanied by increased fracture toughness.     

Effect of Composition on Properties of Alumina/Titanium Silicon Carbide Composites

In the present study, the room-temperature properties of Al₂O₃-Ti₃SiC₂ composites with different Ti₃SiC₂ contents are determined. The composites are prepared by attrition milling Al₂O₃ and Ti₃SiC₂ mixture powders followed by spark plasma sintering (SPS) under vacuum. From a closer examination of the dependencies of the electrical conductivity on compositions in this system, we determined the percolation threshold at which an interconnected network of electrically conductive phase arises. Since the hardness of Ti₃SiC₂ is lower than that of Al₂O₃, the Vickers hardness decreased with the increasing of Ti₃SiC₂ content while the fracture toughness and the strength increased. The maximum strength (673 MPa) and the maximum toughness (9.3 MPa·m^1/2) were reached in the pure Ti₃SiC₂ material.     

Toughening of Silicon Nitride Matrix Composites by the Addition of Both Silicon Carbide Whiskers and Silicon Carbide Particles

Si₃N₄ matrix composites reinforced by SiC whiskers, SiC particles, or both were fabricated using the hot-pressing technique. The mechanical properties of the composites containing various amounts of these SiC reinforcing materials and different sizes of SiC particles were investigated. Fracture toughness of the composites was significantly improved by introducing SiC whiskers and particles together, compared with that obtained by adding SiC whiskers or SiC particles alone. On increasing the size of the added SiC particles, the fracture toughness of the composites reinforced by both whiskers and particles was increased. Their fracture toughness also showed a strong dependence on the amount of SiC particles (average size 40 μm) and was a maximum at the particle content of 10 vol%. The maximum fracture toughness of these composites was 10.5 MPa·m^1/2 and the flexural strength was 550 MPa after addition of 20 vol% of SiC whiskers and 10 vol% of SiC particles having an average particle size of 40 μm. These mechanical properties were almost constant from room temperature to temperatures around 1000°C. Fracture surface observations revealed that the reinforcing mechanisms acting in these composites were crack deflection and crack branching by SiC particles and pullout of SiC whiskers.     

Silicon Carbide/Silicon and Silicon Carbide/Silicon Carbide Composites Produced by Chemical Vapor Infiltration

Composites of SiC/Si and SiC/SiC were prepared from single yarns of SiC. The use of carbon coatings on SiC yarn prevented the degradation normally observed when chemically vapor deposited Si is applied to SiC yarn. The strength, however, was not retained when the composite was heated at elevated temperatures in air. In contrast, the strength of a SiC/C/SiC composite was not reduced after this composite was heated at elevated temperatures, even when the fiber ends were exposed.     

Stress-Corrosion Cracking of Silicon Carbide Fiber/Silicon Carbide Composites

Ceramic-matrix composites are being developed to operate at elevated temperatures and in oxidizing environments. Considerable improvements have been made in the creep resistance of SiC fibers and, hence, in the high-temperature properties of SiC fiber/SiC (SiC_f/SiC) composites; however, more must be known about the stability of these materials in oxidizing environments before they are widely accepted. Experimental weight change and crack growth data support the conclusion that the oxygen-enhanced crack growth of SiC_f/SiC occurs by more than one mechanism, depending on the experimental conditions. These data suggest an oxidation embrittlement mechanism (OEM) at temperatures <1373 K and high oxygen pressures and an interphase removal mechanism (IRM) at temperatures of ≳700 K and low oxygen pressures. The OEM results from the reaction of oxygen with SiC to form a glass layer on the fiber or within the fiber–matrix interphase region. The fracture stress of the fiber is decreased if this layer is thicker than a critical value ( d > d _c) and the temperature below a critical value ( T < T _g), such that a sharp crack can be sustained in the layer. The IRM results from the oxidation of the interfacial layer and the resulting decrease of stress that is carried by the bridging fibers. Interphase removal contributes to subcritical crack growth by decreasing the fiber-bridging stresses and, hence, increasing the crack-tip stress. The IRM occurs over a wide range of temperatures for d < d _c and may occur at T > T _g for d > d _c. This paper summarizes the evidence for the existence of these two mechanisms and attempts to define the conditions for their operation.     

Experimental Observations of High Fracture Resistance in Silicon Carbide/Alumina Laminated Composites

Model laminated composites were fabricated with porous-Al₂O₃ interfaces between SiC bars. The porous Al₂O₃ was deposited using an aerosol spray deposition technique, and the sandwich specimen was fabricated by hot pressing. Residual thermal stresses were present in the interface because of the difference in the coefficients of thermal expansion of SiC and Al₂O₃. Crack deflection was observed with measured interfacial fracture resistances that were considerably higher than the deflection threshold predicted by the He–Hutchinson criterion. Examination of the fracture surface revealed a tortuous crack path and significant crack–flaw interaction.     

In-Situ Alumina/Aluminate Platelet Composites

Alumina composites containing in-situ-formed hexaluminate (LaAl₁₁O₁₈, LaMgAl₁₁O₁₉, SrAl₁₂O₁₉, and Mg₂NaAl₁₅O₂₅) platelets can be pressureless-sintered to high density. The grain morphology of the aluminates can be controlled by composition. A peak toughness 50% higher than that of alumina is obtained at 30 vol% aluminates, with a modest reduction (10%) in hardness and Young's modulus. Although crack-bridging by aluminate platelets is apparently operating, the maximum toughness is intrinsically limited by the low cohesive strength of these layer compounds.     

Interpreting Impedance Response of Silicon Carbide Whisker/Alumina Composites Through Microstructural Simulation

A three-dimensional, object-defined Monte Carlo simulation is applied to alumina-silicon carbide whisker ceramic matrix composites. The simulation takes whisker orientation and size distributions into account simultaneously, and calculates a connectivity factor that relates whisker conductivity to macroscopic conductivity. Simulation results are compared with electrical measurements taken on real samples via impedance spectroscopy. Results show that the effect of whisker clumping can be seen in the impedance response as a decrease in the overall measured conductivity. Results also show that interfacial resistance influences the overall resistivity strongly relative to connectivity at volume fractions far above the percolation threshold. The possible mechanisms for interfacial resistance in the composite and their effect on the impedance response are discussed.     

In Situ Observations of Toughening Processes in Alumina Reinforced with Silicon Carbide Whiskers

An in situ study is made of crack interfaces in composites of alumina reinforced with silicon carbide whiskers. Both qualitative observations of the whisker-bridging micro-mechanisms and quantitative measurements of the crack profile are made to assess the specific role of the whiskers on the toughness curve ( T -curve or R -curve). At small crackwall separations the whiskers act as elastic restraints to the point of rupture. In some cases the whiskers remain in frictional contact with the alumina matrix over large pullout distances (more than 1 μm) corresponding to a bridging zone approaching 1 mm. The results are discussed in relation to existing models of whisker reinforcement and published long-crack T -curve data.     

Silicon Carbide Whisker/Alumina Matrix Composites: Effect of Whisker Surface Treatment on Fracture Toughness

The fracture toughness of a 30 vol% SiC whisker/Al₂O₃ matrix composite was evaluated as a function of whisker surface chemistry. Two types of SiC whiskers (Silar-SC-9 and Tateho-SCW-1-S) were investigated. Modification of the whisker surface chemistry was achieved by subjecting the whiskers to thermal treatments under controlled atmospheres. Whisker surface chemistry, as determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, was correlated to the fracture toughness of the composites.     

Effects of Gadolinia and Alumina Addition on the Densification and Toughening of Silicon Carbide

SiC with mixtures of A1₂O₃ and Gd₂O₃ additions were effective in densifying SiC. The density of 98% of theoretical density was achieved with the Gd₂O₃ and A1₂O₃ eutectic composition. It is suggested that the improvement in density is due to liquid phase formed between A1₂O₃ and Gd₂O₃. The sintered bodies have an improved fracture toughness due to the crack deflection mechanism.     

Intergranular Crack-Deflection Toughening in Silicon Carbide

The fracture toughness of three Sic-based materials was examined and correlated to toughening mechanisms. Crack deflection along grain boundaries in hot-pressed Sic-Al₂O₃ and Sic-ZrO₂ provided notable toughness increases compared to sintered α-Sic, which fractures trans granularly. The existence of a crack-deflection mecha nism was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy.     

凝胶注成形纳米碳化硅增韧氧化铝防弹陶瓷材料工程化研究及应用

本研究用单体(丙烯酰胺以后简称单体)、交联剂(N,N—亚甲基双丙烯酰胺以后简称交联剂)、氧化铝、纳米碳化硅等,使用分散剂丙烯酸和丙烯酸铵的共聚物,球磨后料浆颗粒D50(中位粒径)为2μm,体积固含量为55％的陶瓷料浆。在催化剂(N,N,N,,N,—四甲基乙二胺)、引发剂(硫代硫酸铵)条件下凝胶注成形氧化铝陶瓷坯体,干燥...