Prediction of fracture characteristic of particlereinforced alumina-based composites.

Residual microstresses in particle reinforced alumina/SiC and alumina/mullite composites were calculated. The results indicated that there existed a linear relation between matrix microstresses and the particle contents in the composites. The influence of stress state on crack propagating and grain boundary strengthening was analyzed. Ratios of grain boundary toughness to grain toughness of these composites were calculated in view of microstress analysis, and percentage of transgranular fracture (PTF) that increases with the microstress in the alumina matrix was then deduced. The relationship between microstructure, component, matrix microstresses, and PTF was established. Therefore, the fracture characteristic was predicted on basis of the particle content and distribution in addition to the microstructure of the composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]