ZIRCONIA MATRIX TUNGSTEN CARBIDE PARTICULATE COMPOSITES MANUFACTURED BY HOT-PRESSING TECHNIQUE

Zirconia matrix composites with tungsten carbide inclusions were obtai ned by hot pressing at 1400 degrees C for 40 min. The carbide particle content was changed from 10 to 50 vol.%. All the samples achieved den sities higher than 98% of the theoretical value. Elastic properties we re measured by ultrasonic methods. Hardness and fracture toughness wer e estimated by Vickers indentation technique. The microstructure of th e composites was determined by TEM observations. (C) 1998 Elsevier Sci ence B.V. All rights reserved.