INTERFACIAL CHARACTERIZATION OF AL2O3-NI COMPOSITES

In the present study, the interfacial structure of nickel particle-reinforced alumina composites prepared by a gas reduction process and by reactive sintering is examined by analytical electron microscopy. Amorphous carbon films at the interface and graphite inclusions within the nickel inclusions can be found in products from gas reduction and from reaction sintering, respectively. The microstructural variation results in different amounts of toughness enhancement. Possible explanations for the resulting microstructure and toughness differences are proposed.