Properties of Hot-Pressed Al_2O_3-Fe Composites

摘要

Alumina-(0-20 vol. pct) iron composites were fabricated by hot-pressing of well-mixed alumina and iron powders at 1400℃ and 30 MPa for 30 mm. Hot-pressed bodies with nearly theoretical density were obtained for addition up to 10 vol. pct Fe, but relative density decreased gradually with further increase in Fe addition. The materials exhibit a homogeneous dispersion of Fe. Fracture strength of the composites exhibits a maximum value of 604 MPa at 15 vol. pct Fe, which is 1.5 times that of alumina alone. Fracture toughness increases with the increase in Fe content, reaching 7.5 MPa.m1/2 at 20 vol. pct Fe. The theoretical values of fracture toughness was calculated and compared with the experimental one. Toughening mechanisms of the composites are also discussed.