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Microstructure / mechanical-property relationships and R-curve behavior in Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}/Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}(w) composites

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10185016· OSTI ID:10185016
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., 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
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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