MECHANICAL AND FRACTURE CHARACTERISTICS O F THE AL2O3+ZRO2+SIC SYSTEM

Mechanical and fracture characteristics of the Al2O3 + ZrO2 + SiC comp osite ceramics are studied in the paper. The relationships describing strength properties and their scatter, fracture toughness and rising f racture resistance (R-curve behaviour) are summarized in the first Dar t of tile paper. Bending strength and the scatter of its values are ch aracterized by help of fractography and Weibull statistics, as well. T he fracture toughness and tile R-curve of tile studied material are me asured using indentation methods. A moderately rising R-curve is presu mably a consequence of transformation toughening in the process zone o f the propagating crack.