Microstructure and fracture characteristics of alumina-based prismatic ceramic composites

Al2O3/SiC prismatic ceramic composites have been prepared by a structure-controlled process, in which the high-aspect-ratio alumina-based cells with a distinct prismatic texture were separated in three dimensions by thin SiC cell boundaries. The work-of-fracture of the composites has been improved greatly due to the developed paths for crack propagation by the weak cell boundaries, corresponding to longer displacement under reasonable load-carrying condition. The route of crack propagation depended greatly on the interfacial shear strength and boundary thickness. Crack deflecting and delamination are considered as two main contributions at the earlier stage, whereas frictional sliding of fibrous cells becomes more dominant after cracking occurs, especially at lower loading condition. These mechanisms are different from those observed in multilayered monolithic ceramics due to the controlled structures of present materials. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd and Techna S.r.l. All rights reserved.