Fabrication and mechanical properties of Al 2O 3–Si 3N 4/ZrO 2–Al 2O 3 laminated composites

Abstract

In this paper, Al 2O 3–Si 3N 4/ZrO 2–Al 2O 3 laminated composites were fabricated by tape casting and hot press sintering, and the relationships between the process, microstructure, and mechanical properties of Al 2O 3–Si 3N 4/ZrO 2–Al 2O 3 laminated composites were determined. The SiAlON phase was found in the Al 2O 3–Si 3N 4 layer, and liquid-phase sintering was proposed. Nano-scratch tests were carried out to investigate the interface bonding strength of the laminates. The distribution of residual stresses, generated due to the different coefficients of thermal expansion between the different layers, was estimated according to lamination theory and confirmed using Vickers indentation. When the sintering temperature was 1550 °C, the sintered laminated ceramics had good mechanical properties, with a maximum strength and toughness of 413 MPa and 6.2 MPa m 1/2, respectively. The main toughness mechanics of laminated composites was residual stress.