Effect of sintering conditions on mechanical and physical properties of MgO ceramic reinforced with chopped Si-C-O fibre

A ceramic matrix composite (CMC) comprising of 20 mass% chopped Si-C-O fibr e in a magnesium oxide (MgO) matrix was prepared using the hot isostatic pr essing (HIP) sintering route. A similar composite was prepared using a stan dard sintering route as a comparison. Although a relative density of 99.9% could be achieved at 1623 K, mechanical properties were generally no better than for monolithic MgO. This behaviour was attributed to the large therma l mismatch between matrix and fibres at room temperature. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.