THE CORROSION BEHAVIOR OF AL2O3 TOUGHENED BY AG PARTICLES

The strength and toughness of alumina can be enhanced by adding silver inclusions. In the present study, the corrosion behaviour of such Al2 O3/Ag composites in nitric acid is investigated. The strength of the c omposites containing 2.5 vol% silver is not affected after the corrosi on test. However, the weight loss of the composites containing 10 vol% silver is increased with increasing corrosion time. The strength and the roughness of the composites after corrosion are significantly degr aded. For example, the strength of the composites containing 10 vol% s ilver is decreased by 50% and the toughness by 30%, when the composite s are soaked in nitric acid for 1000 h.