Abstract
Monolithic AlN and AlN-W composites were fabricated by pressure-less sintering at 190$0^{\circ}C$ under nitrogen atmosphere and the influences of tungsten phase on the microstructure and mechanical properties were investi-gated. In the fabrication of sintered specimen no additive was used. And monolithic AlN showed substantial grain growth and low relative density. AlN-W composites were fully densified and grain growths of matrix were inhibited. The densification behavior of composites were inferred to be achieved through the liquid phase sintering process such as particle-rearrangement and solutino-reprecipitation. Also the oxid phases which is expected to form liquid phases duringsintering process were detected by XRD analysis. As the tungsten volume content increases fracture strength was decreased and fracture toughness was increased. It was suppo-sed that the strength decrease of composites with tungsten content was due to existence of interface phases. The subcritical crack growth behavior was observed from the stress-strain curve of composites. The effect of the secondary phase and interface phases on toughness in crease were studied through observation of crack propagation path and the influence of residual stress on crack propagation was investigated by X-ray residual stress measurement. In the result of residual stress measurement the compressive stress of matrix in composi-test was increased with tungsten volume content and the compressive stress distribution of matrix must have contributed to the inhibition of crack propagation.
