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Silicon carbide whisker reinforced ceramic composites and method for making same

Patent ·
OSTI ID:875293

The present invention is directed to the fabrication of ceramic composites which possess improved mechanical properties especially increased fracture toughness. In the formation of these ceramic composites, the single crystal SiC whiskers are mixed with fine ceramic powders of a ceramic material such as Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, mullite, or B.sub.4 C. The mixtures which contain a homogeneous disperson of the SiC whiskers are hot pressed at pressures in a range of about 28 to 70 MPa and temperatures in the range of about 1600.degree. to 1950.degree. C. with pressing times varying from about 0.075 to 2.5 hours. The resulting ceramic composites show an increase in fracture toughness of up to about 9 MPa.m.sup.1/2 which represents as much as a two-fold increase over that of the matrix material.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
Assignee:
Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc. (Oak Ridge, TN)
Patent Number(s):
US RE34446
OSTI ID:
875293
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (3)

High-strength silicon carbide fibre-reinforced glass-matrix composites journal February 1980
Silicon Nitride Ceramic Composites with High Toughness journal January 1971
Silicon carbide yarn reinforced glass matrix composites journal April 1982