PARTICLE MATRIX INTERFACE AND ITS ROLE IN CREEP INHIBITION IN ALUMINA/SILICON CARBIDE NANOCOMPOSITES/

This study focuses on interfacial bonding between intergranular silico n carbide particles and an alumina matrix, to determine the creep inhi bition mechanism of alumina/silicon carbide nanocomposites, It is reve aled that the silicon carbide/alumina interface possesses much stronge r bonding than the alumina/alumina interface through three approaches: investigation of fracture toughness and fracture mode acid considerat ion of internal thermal stresses acting at grain boundaries, estimatio n of equilibrium thickness of intergranular glassy films by force bala nce, and direct observation of grain boundaries by TEM. The rigid bond ing of alumina/silicon carbide interfaces causes inhibition of vacancy nucleation and annihilation at the interfaces, causing remarkably imp roved creep resistance of the nanocomposite.