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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Silicon carbide whisker-zirconia reinforced mullite and alumina ceramics

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6561024

This patent describes a SiC whisker-reinforced ceramic composite characterized by at least one of increased flexural strength and resistance to fracture, comprising: a composite defined by a matrix of mullite or alumina with an adequate concentration of zirconia in a monoclinic phase or a tetragonal phase to provide an increase in at least one of flexural strength and fracture toughness of the SiC whisker-reinforced composite over SiC whisker-reinforced composites provided without the zirconia addition; and with about 5 to 30 vol. % SiC whiskers homogeneously dispersed therein. The SiC whiskers have a mono-crystalline structure and a size range of about 0.6 micrometer in diameter and a length of about 10 to 80 micrometers. The whiskers are characterized in the composite by causing crack deflection and crack bridging and by whisker pull-out from the matrix when the composite is subjected to crackforming stresses.

Assignee:
Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC
Patent Number(s):
US 4657877
OSTI ID:
6561024
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English