Thermomechanically induced embrittlement in hot isostatically pressed Si3N4/SiC composites

The macroscopic fracture properties of an Si₃N₄/SiC-platelet composite fabricated by hot isostatic pressing (HIP) without sintering aids were measured by the chevron-notch technique in bending and related to micromechanisms of fracture by means of a quantitative profilometric analysis of the fracture surfaces. Compositional and processing parameters were varied systematically in order to maximize both the fracture toughness and the work of fracture of the composite. Data were compared with those of monolithic Si₃N₄ fabricated by the same process. Cooling-rate from the HI Ping temperature was indicated as a critical parameter especially when cooling was performed under high pressure. A marked embrittlement of the composite body was found by cooling at around 650 °C h^–1 and it could not be completely recovered by successive annealing even up to temperatures above 1700 °C. The highest fracture toughness and work of fracture in the composite (obtained at a cooling rate of about 100 °C h^–1), were measured as 4.6 MPa m^1/2 and 58.6 J m^–2, respectively. In agreement with fractal analysis results, they were estimated to be about 60%–70% of the maximum values, respectively, obtainable in the present composite system, provided that a complete debonding at the platelet/matrix interface can occur.