Study of SiC-whisker-reinforced ZrO2 ceramics using the sol-gel method

Abstract

Tetragonal ZrO₂-SiC whisker composite powders have been synthesized by the sol-gel method. Analysis reveals that SiC whiskers are homogeneously dispersed in the composite powder, the matrix being ultrafine metastable tetragonal ZrO₂. The sintering properties of the composite have been investigated. SiC whiskers favour an increase in content of metastable tetragonal ZrO₂. When the SiC whisker content is high, the critical stress intensity factor (K_IC) decreases.