SILICON CARBIDE PARTICLE SIZE EFFECTS IN ALUMINA-BASED NANOCOMPOSITES

摘要

Al_20_3/SiC nanocomposites with a systematic variation in their SiC particle size together with monolithic alumina were produced using conventional powder processing, polymer pyrolysis and hot-pressing. The microstructures of the materials were investigated by means of transmission and scanning electron microscopy and correlated to their mechanical properties. All nanocomposites showed a clear increase in strength over similar grain size alumina but no clear dependence on the size of the SiC nano-reinforcement.