Mechanical properties and wear behaviour of ceramic matrix composites based on clinker portland doped with magnesia

Clinker portland is the main component in cement manufacturing. In this work, the feasibility of using it as a raw material for making ceramic matrix composites has been studied. Magnesia has been used as a sintering additive in order to improve plain clinker properties. Composite materials have been manufactured by cold isostatic pressing (CIP) and by sintering in air at 1400 degrees C. The mechanical properties, microstructure, mechanical reliability (through the Weibull modulus) and wear behaviour of clinker-based materials were evaluated. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.