Abstract
► Zirconia fiber was used as reinforcing phase. ► The flexural strength and fracture toughness were obviously increased. ► Toughening mechanisms are transformation toughening, fiber pull-out, bridging and branching. ZrB 2 –SiC–ZrO 2f ceramic was fabricated by hot-pressing at 1850 °C for 1 h under a uniaxial load of 30 MPa in vacuum. The ZrB 2 –SiC–ZrO 2f ceramic thus produced showed excellent fracture toughness due to the addition of ZrO 2 fiber. The increase in toughness was attributed mainly to the addition of the ZrO 2 fiber, which could enhance fiber pull-out, crack bridging and crack branching. In addition, the stress-induced transformation toughening was also considered to be main reason for the improvement in toughness.
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