Abstract
The reasons for high toughness in Al2O3/SiC whisker/ZrO2 ceramic composite were elucidated by each toughening mechanims such as crack deflection and whisker pull out.
The condition required for SiC whisker to obtain ceramic composite was analysed by fracture mechanics and was found that diamater of SiC whisker must be lowered under a critical size. Toughening mechanisms by SiC whisker such as crack deflection and whisker pull out were also discussed. Importance of diameter, length and strength of SiC whisker was made clear. On the other hand contributions of UP ZrO2 to high toughness were also explained by grain refining and transformation toughening. Finally, additional effect of each toughening mechanism, which is called multiple toughening, was shown to be important to obtain high toughness ceramic composite.
