Microstructure / mechanical-property relationships and R-curve behavior in Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}/Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}(w) composites
Fracture toughness of Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}-whisker-reinforced Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}-matrix composites were evaluated with various whisker contents. Toughness was observed to increase with increasing whisker content, reaching a maximum value of 8.8 MPa{radical}4 at 5 vol.% whisker content. Additional whisker content caused reduced toughness. A model based on microstructural features indicates that the observed dependence of toughness on whisker content is due to both whisker-toughening and matrix-grain-size effects. Composites with 5 vol.% whisker content showed a rising crack growth resistance (R-curve) behavior. This is believed to be a combined effect of crack bridging and crack deflection due to both elongated grains and reinforcing whiskers.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 10185016
- Report Number(s):
- ANL/CP-76346; CONF-9210175-1; ON: DE92041096
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 24. international Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE) technical conference,Toronto (Canada),20-22 Oct 1992; Other Information: PBD: Jun 1992
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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