Studies of the effect of metal particles on the fracture toughness of ceramic matrix composites

The purpose of this study was to describe the influence of metal particles on the fracture toughness of ceramic matrix composites. Here, alumina matrix composites with molybdenum particles have been investigated. The results presented show that the change of fracture toughness of a ceramic-metal composite can be controlled by the volume fraction of metallic phase and size of metal particles. The model proposed in this paper describes the change of crack length and as a consequence, the change of K-JC value. The results of modelling calculations have been compared with experimentally measured K-JC values. This model is useful for simulation of crack length changes in the composites and to design a material with an optimum fracture toughness. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.