Mechanical Properties of Al₂O₃ Reinforced by Dispersion of Metal-Particles-II

Dispersion via Electroless Plating Procedure

Abstract

Metal powder dispersion into ceramics materials is expected to enhance the fracture toughness. For this purpose, a new method is tried to prepare Al₂O₃ Pd composites. The procedure consists of electroless plating of Pd on Al₂O₃ powder and the following hot-pressing of the powder. Fracture toughness of hot-pressed composites thus prepared incresed to 4.3MPam^1/2, which is about 20 % higher than that of pure Al₂O₃. SEM observation and EDX analysis on the fractured surface of the composite indicate that fine Pd powders disperse uniformly into Al₂O₃, matrix.