Mechanical properties of TiO2-coated ZrO2/Si3N4 composite

TiO2-coated ZrO2/Si3N4 composite was fabricated by hot-press sintering. Roo m-temperature mechanical properties of the TiO2-coated ZrOzlSi3N4 composite s were investigated as a function of the coating amount of TiO2, as well as of the incorporated amount of TiO2-coated 3Y-ZrO2. The densification was p romoted, and the Vicker's hardness of the composite was improved remarkably with the increase in TiO2. The fracture toughness was enhanced nearly line arly with increasing the fraction of TiO2-coated 3Y-ZrO2. The toughening me chanism was analysed according to the evolution of microstructure. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Limited. All rights reserved.