Premium
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Mullite–Silicon Carbide Composites
Author(s) -
Osendi M. Isabel,
Bender Barry A.,
Lewis David
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
journal of the american ceramic society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.9
H-Index - 196
eISSN - 1551-2916
pISSN - 0002-7820
DOI - 10.1111/j.1151-2916.1989.tb06269.x
Subject(s) - whisker , whiskers , materials science , mullite , microstructure , composite material , fracture toughness , composite number , sintering , silicon carbide , scanning electron microscope , monocrystalline whisker , hot pressing , toughness , ceramic
Mullite‐SiC‐whisker composites were prepared by powder processing using two commercial SiC whiskers. These composites were prepared by sintering rather than hot‐pressing. A mulliteSlC‐powder composite and a base line mallite material were also prepared for comparison with the two whisker composite materials. Fracture toughness measurements showed significant enhancement in only one of the whisker composite materials. The microstructure of the four materials was examined by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy to assist in the explanation of the mechanical behavior of these composites. The examinations suggested that most of the toughening results from second‐phase particles, with only limited toughening from effects associated with whiskers per se. In one case, higher toughness was partially associated with the formation of sialon phase by reaction with the whiskers and the furnace environment.