Abstract
The microstructure and compressive strength of SiC‐platelet‐reinforced borosilicate composites have been examined in this study. During sintering, following cold compaction, borosilicate glass crystallized into cristobalite, and the thermal expansion mismatch between the parent glass and the crystallized phase led to extensive microcracking of the matrix. Cristobalite growth (hence cracking) could be suppressed to some extent by opting for a rapid hot‐pressing cycle. Composites fabricated with various volume fractions of SiC platelets were tested in compression. A maximum compressive strength of 510 MPa was observed at 40 vol % of platelets. Further, the compressive flow behavior of these composites has been explored in the vicinity of the glass transition temperature. At temperatures above 625°C, borosilicate glass and its composites exhibited Newtonian viscous flow characteristics. Their flow stress at a given strain rate is, however, seen to increase with increasing volume fraction of SiC platelets.
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