Wb. Chou et Wh. Tuan, TOUGHENING AND STRENGTHENING OF ALUMINA WITH SILVER INCLUSIONS, Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 15(4), 1995, pp. 291-295
The fracture toughness and flexural strength of Al2O3/Ag composites ar
e investigated. Both the strength and toughness of alumina are enhance
d as silver inclusions are added. From microstructural observation, th
e crack is bridged or deflected by silver inclusions. The toughness en
hancement is contributed mainly by the plastic deformation of the silv
er inclusions. The strengthening effect is contributed both by the mat
rix grain refinement and by the toughness enhancement.