Measurement of High Strain Rate Indentation-Induced Deformations in Al2O3/SiCp Composite Ceramics
Al2O3/SiCp composite ceramics with 2 vol%, 5 vol% and 10 vol% SiC nanoparticles additions were hot pressed at 1650 °C. The polished ceramic discs were prepared and indented at high strain rate using a compressed gas gun with tiny tungsten carbide bullets. The microstructure and mechanical properties were obtained to explain the dynamic deformation behavior of Al2O3/SiCp ceramics. Cr3+ fluorescence mapping was used to examine the residual stress and plastic deformation induced on the surface of each target. The residual compressive stress area around the crater was evenly distributed, while the greatest plastic deformation was found at the hitting point of the bullet tip. It can be calculated that the high temperature of 1400K may be produced at the instant of the bullet impact and result in large plastic deformation region and low residual stress of the Al2O3/SiCp ceramic.