BAS glass-ceramic powders were prepared by sol-gel processing. SiC platelet
s reinforced BAS glass-ceramic matrix composites with high density and unif
orm microstructure could be made using hot-pressing method. The related pro
cessing parameters were studied in this work, including effects of addition
al seed on transformation from H to M of barium aluminosilicate. DTA method
was used to determine exact time to press mixture powders during hot-press
ing for the purpose of effective densification. Microstructure and mechanic
al properties of the composites were investigated by mean of SEM, XRD and T
EM techniques as well as three points bending test and single edge notched
beam measurement. The results showed that the flexural strength and fractur
e toughness value of the BAS glass-ceramic matrix composites could be effec
tively improved by the addition of the SiC platelets. But the relative dens
ities of composites were slightly decreased. The main toughening mechanism
is crack deflection, platelets' pull-out and bridging. The increased value
of flexural strength is contributed to the load transition effect from matr
ix to SiC platelets.