Characterization of silicon carbide platelet-reinforced alumina
The incorporation of silicon carbide whiskers into ceramic matrices has been shown to result in significant increases in toughness, strength, resistance to thermal shock, slow crack growth, and creep. The health hazards associated with the handling of silicon carbide whiskers, however, can be considerable. Silicon carbide platelets are therefore being considered as an alternative to whiskers for reinforcing ceramic composites.The silicon carbide platelets used in this study were supplied by Alcan International Ltd. The platelets varied from 1 to 5 μm in thickness and 5 to 45 μm in diameter. Sumitomo alumina powder was mixed with the platelets and the composites were fabricated by hot-pressing in vacuum at 1600°C for 1.5 h. The resultant composites had the platelet faces oriented primarily perpendicular to the hot-pressing axis. Specimens containing 7 vol% SiC platelets had a fracture toughness of 6.6 MPa m½, which is about the same value as observed for alumina of equivalent grain size containing 7 vol% SiC whiskers. Considerable porosity was observed in specimens with platelet volume fractions larger than 7 vol%.