Abstract
Mullite–ZrO 2 composites were obtained by reaction-sintering using three alumina to zircon weight ratios (45.5/54.5, 51.7/48.3 and 35.1/64.9 wt.%). Green compacts were made by slip casting of stabilized aqueous suspensions of alumina and zircon mixtures and then were reaction-sintered from 1450 to 1600 °C under different firing conditions. The phase evolution was followed by XRD, the densification degree was calculated from densities and the microstructures were studied by SEM. Hardness, H and fracture toughness, K IC were measured by Vickers indentation. Effects of both alumina/zircon ratios and sintering conditions on the H, K IC and the microstructure were examined. Inter- and intragranular mechanisms of fracture were observed. Mainly a phase transformation toughening was assumed although crack deflection and microcracking mechanisms cannot be discarded.
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