Alumina-SiC whisker composites

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:6024571

Tiegs, T N; Becher, P F

Previous results have shown that alumina reinforced with SiC whiskers is an attractive material for application in advanced heat engines. This composite exhibits excellent strength and toughness up to temperatures of approx.1000/sup 0/C and is very resistant to slow crack growth. Reinforcement of a mullite matrix by the SiC whiskers has also been demonstrated. Recent experiments have investigated other aspects to applying the SiC whisker-reinforced alumina in heat engines. The results have shown the whisker reinforced alumina to have excellent thermal shock resistance, and a good Weibull modulus (indicating good reliability). Fabrication of high toughness composites by pressureless sintering was found to be a viable process for alumina with whisker contents <20 vol %. In addition, whisker reinforcement may be combined with transformation toughening in the alumina and mullite matrix systems for improved mechanical properties. Isothermal heating tests indicated that oxidation of the SiC whiskers in an alumina matrix caused degradation of mechanical properties in currently developed materials.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 6024571
• Report Number(s): CONF-8510103-5; ON: DE86004791
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330100* -- Internal Combustion Engines
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
CARBIDES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CHALCOGENIDES
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
CRYSTALS
DATA
ENGINES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
HEAT ENGINES
INFORMATION
MATERIALS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MONOCRYSTALS
NUMERICAL DATA
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SILICON CARBIDES
SILICON COMPOUNDS
VERY HIGH TEMPERATURE
WHISKERS