Nanoindentation of Al2O3/Al2TiO5 composites: Small-scale mechanical properties of Al2TiO5 as reinforcement phase

The mechanical properties of alumina/aluminum titanate composites (Al₂O₃/Al₂TiO₅) were evaluated and analyzed by nanoindentation. Indentations with different penetration depths were performed, and residual imprints on specimens were located and observed by combining complementary characterization techniques. The mechanical response of composites was found to be determined by grain size of alumina and aluminum titanate, as evaluated from indentations performed at 1500 nm of penetration depth. On the other hand, small indents in individual grains permitted to assess the hardness as well as the elastic modulus of non-cracked particles of Al₂TiO₅ through implementation of different analytical indentation models. The attained values for the local mechanical properties were validated through critical comparison of them with those predicted by the rule of mixtures. Results showed no evidence of microcracking on grains of the reinforcing phase for all the tested composites, before and after low penetration depth indentations. Elastic modulus of Al₂TiO₅ was found to be higher than the values reported on bulk aluminum titanate, presumably because of the absence of microcracking for small grain sizes. The bulk composite mechanical response is finally discussed on the basis of contributions from those of the individual phases.