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Microstructure and Microchemistry of Interfaces in Structural Ceramic Composites

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2011

K. B. Alexander,
P. F. Becher,
P. M. Rice,
D. Braski and
E. Y. Sun
K. B. Alexander
Affiliation:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831–6376
P. F. Becher
Affiliation:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831–6376
P. M. Rice
Affiliation:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831–6376
D. Braski
Affiliation:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831–6376
E. Y. Sun
Affiliation:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831–6376
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Abstract

The performance of reinforced ceramics, particularly the toughness and creep resistance, is often determined by the nature of the interface between the reinforcement and the ceramic matrix. Specially-designed experiments to investigate the role of the interfacial characteristics on toughening mechanisms and crack propagation in reinforced (silicon carbide whisker reinforced alumina) and self-reinforced (silicon nitride) ceramic composites will be described. In the whisker-reinforced composites, the interfacial topography and chemistry were of primary importance, whereas in the silicon nitride materials the formation of interfacial phases and glassy-phase chemistry influenced the interfacial debonding process. The composite interfaces were characterized by high resolution electron microscopy and high spatial resolution microchemical analysis, including energy-dispersive X-ray and electron energy loss spectroscopy. Results from energy-filtered images from ceramic interfaces will also be shown.

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References

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