Abstract
R-curve measurements were performed on Al2O3(matrix)-ZrO2-SiC whisker composite and Al2O3-ZrO2, Al2O3-SiC whisker composites in the favor of comparing the effect of ZrO2 and SiC whisker, as a second phase, to Al2O3 matrix. Al2O3-SiC whisker and Al2O3-ZrO2-SiC whisker were fabricated by hot pressing at 1$700^{\circ}C$, 15MPa and Al2O3-ZrO2 by pressureless sintering at 1$600^{\circ}C$. A controlled flaw/strength technique was utilized to determine fracture resistance as a function of crack extension and R-curve behaviour was determined from the relationship which is KR=K0(Δa)m. R-curveresults were KR=6.173$\times$Δa0.031 for Al2O3-ZrO2, KR=18.796$\times$Δa0.172 for Al2O3-SiC whisker and KR=11.96$\times$Δa0.110 for Al2O3-ZrO2-SiC whisker composite. From the analysis of R-curve and expeirmental data above three composites, it is found that R-curve behaviour of Al2O3-ZrO2-SiC whisker composite was dominated initially by the strengthening effect of ZrO2 and after, some extended crack were influenced by the effect of SiC whisker. Analysis of SEM and X-ray data revealed that whisker bridging in the crack wake and whisker pull-out mechanisms were the main mechanism for the R-curve behaviour.
