Crack-healing and mechanical behaviour of Al2O3/SiC composites at elevated temperature

Alumina/silicon carbide (Al2O3/SiC) composite ceramics with large self-crack-healing ability, high strength and high heat-resistance limit temperature for strength were developed and subjected to three-point bending. A semicircular surface crack 100 mum in diameter was made on each sample. Crack-healing behaviour was systematically studied, as functions of crack-healing temperature and healing time, and the fatigue strengths of the crack-healed sample at room temperature and 1373 K were investigated. Four main conclusions were drawn from the present study. (1) Al2O3/SiC composite ceramics have the ability to heal after cracking from 1273to 1673 K in air. (2) The heat-resistance limit temperature for strength of the crack-healed sample is congruent to1573 K, and congruent to68% of the samples fractured from outside the crack-healed zone in the testing-temperature range 873-1573 K. (3) The crack-healed sample exhibited very high fatigue limit at room temperature and also 1373 K. (4) The large self-crack-healing ability is a desirable technique for the high structural integrity of ceramic component.