Microstructure Control of Al₂O₃/ZrO₂ Composite by Fibrous Monolithic Process

Abstract

Homogeneously tailored Al₂O₃-ZrO₂ composites were fabricated using a fibrous monolithic process. The microstructure of the composites was varied depending on the area reduction ratio, and correlated well with calculated data. The sintered bodies presented a continuously fibrous monolithic microstructure and no swelling occurred during the binder burning-out. Microcracks were observed at the Al₂O₃-ZrO₂ interfaces, due to the mismatch of thermal expansion coefficients between Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂ phases. Most of the ZrO₂ grains included twin defects to accommodate the stress field during the sintering process.