Abstract
Nanocomposites have received hot attention for the structural material in these ten years. In this study, Al2O3 / SiC nanocomposite was fabricated for the purpose of toughening and strengthening ceramic materials. Sub-micron sized α- or γ-alumina was used as starting material and nano-sized silicon carbide powder as second-phase particle. After wet boll milling, mixed powder was dried and sintered at 1350°C or 1450°C by SPS. Mechanical properties of fabricated samples and annealed one (1300°C in air) were measured. Fracture strength of annealed Al2O3 / 5 vol% SiC sample (prepared with α-alumina) and that of annealed Al2O3 / 3 vol% SiC sample (with γ-alumina) were 850 MPa and 845 MPa. And fracture toughness of Al2O3 / 3 vol% SiC sample (with γ-alumina) and that of annealed the sample were 4.7MPam1/2 and 4.6MPam1/2. Intragranular fracture was observed in these nanocomposites.
