Abstract
This work reports on the effect of CeO2 and/or Cr2O3 addition on the mechanical properties of Al2O3-mullite-ZrO2 composites. The amount of additives added was 1.5wt%CeO2, 1.5wt%Cr2O3 and the mixture of 1.5wt%CeO2 and 1.5 wt%Cr2O3. Bulk composites have been sintered by using pressure-less sintering method. Phases, microstructure, density and porosity of sintered composites were characterized. Flexural strength and fracture toughness were also determined. The results from mechanical tests showed that the highest flexural strength was obtained with the mixture of CeO2 and Cr2O3 addition, while the highest fracture toughness was obtained with CeO2 addition.
