In this letter, it is reported that a laminated SiC/W composite has been de
veloped using the hot pressing method. It is found that a chemical reaction
between W and SiC occurs during the preparation process. Making use of SEM
, the components within the sandwiched-in metal and the fracturing crack fo
r the laminated SiC/W composite are determined. Testing mechanical properti
es of the laminated SiC/W composite indicates that fracture toughness incre
ases while bending strength reduces, with an increase of the thickness of t
he sandwiched-in metal ranging from 10-50-mum thickness. (C) 2001 Elsevier
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