Strength of composite materials

Abstract

1. A study was made of the strength of ZrN-Al2O3 composite materials produced by solid- and liquid-phase sintering in argon and nitrogen. It is shown that the strength of composites sintered in nitrogen is such less than that of composites sintered in argon, which is linked with the formation of new phases at boundaries between dissimilar phases and with a weakening of the bond between the components. 2. The strength of composites produced by liquid-phase sintering is lower than that of materials forming during solid-phase sintering, which is attributable to a vigorous reaction of the nitride and the formation of zirconium dioxide at phase boundaries at high temperatures. 3. The strength of a material of low alumina content depends on the thickness of the oxide interlayers between the strengthening grains. The strength of a composite containing an appreciable amount of alumina depends on the strength of the bonds at boundaries between like and unlike phases. With increasing matrix grain and strengthening -particle sizes the strength of the composites at first grows and then falls.