In situ toughened SiC ceramics with Al-B-C additions and oxide-coated SiC platelet/SiC composites
- Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States). Dept. of Materials Science and Mineral Engineering
This work aimed at fabrication and characterization of high toughness SiC ceramics through the applications of in situ toughening and SiC platelet reinforcement. The processing-microstructure-property relations of hot pressed SiC with Al, B, and C additions (designated as ABC-SiC) were investigated. Through a liquid phase sintering mechanism, dense SiC was obtained by hot pressing at a temperature as low as 1,700 C with 3 wt% Al, 0.6 wt% B, and 2 wt% C additions. These sintering aids also enhanced the {beta}-to-{alpha} (3C-to-4H) phase transformation, which promoted SiC grains to grow into plate-like shapes. Under optimal processing conditions, the microstructure exhibited high-aspect-ratio plate-shaped grains with a thin (< 1 nm) Al-containing amorphous grain boundary film. The mechanical properties of the toughened SiC and the composites were evaluated in comparison with a commercial Hexoloy SiC under identical test conditions. The C-curve behavior was examined using the strength-indentation load relationship and compared with that directly measured using precracked compact tension specimens. The in situ toughened ABC-SiC exhibited much improved flaw tolerance and a significantly rising R-curve behavior. A steady-state toughness in excess of 9 MPam{sup 1/2} was recorded for the ABC-SiC in comparison to a single valued toughness below 3 MPam{sup 1/2} for the Hexoloy. Toughening in the ABC-SiC was mainly attributed to grain bridging and subsequent pullout of the plate-shaped grains. The high toughness ABC-SiC exhibited a bend strength of 650 MPa with a Weibull modulus of 19; in comparison, the commercial SiC showed a bend strength of 400 MPa with a Weibull modulus of 6. Higher fracture toughness was also achieved by the reinforcement of SiC platelets, encapsulated with alumina, yttria, or silica, in a SiC matrix.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Research, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00098
- OSTI ID:
- 414374
- Report Number(s):
- LBNL-39128; ON: DE97001596; TRN: AHC29701%%73
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: DN: Thesis submitted to Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (US); TH: Thesis (Ph.D.); PBD: Fal 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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