The book summarizes the recent progress in ceramics research. Several novel concepts for materials selection and microstructural design are presented, as are experimental results that substantiate the ideas. These newly designed materials include multiphase ceramic composites of three phases with strengths of 1000 MPa and toughnessof 10 MPam0.5. They can be fabricated to mimic the macrostructure of wood and are machineable because of their novel microstructure.

Inhalt

1 Multi-phase Materials.- 1.1 Introduction.- 1.2 The Basic Concept of Multi-phase Materials.- 1.2.1 Blurring the Boundaries Between Various Phases.- 1.2.2 Applying Nano-technology.- 1.2.3 Applying Advanced Fabrication Processes.- 1.2.4 Marketability and Reliability.- 1.2.5 Material Design.- 1.3 The Need for Multi-phase Materials.- 1.4 Research Objectives.- References.- 2 New Concepts in the Design of Tough Ceramics.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Experiments.- 2.3 Results and Discussion.- 2.3.1 Transformation Toughening Mechanism.- 2.3.2 Plastic Deformation Mechanism.- 2.3.3 Interactions Between Transformation and Toughening Plastic Deformation.- 2.4 Conclusions.- Acknowledgement.- References.- 3 Interface Design of Tough Ceramics: Si3N4/BN Fibrous Monolithic Ceramic.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Measurement of Interfacial Toughness.- 3.3 Preparation of Si3N4/BN Fibrous Monolithic Ceramic.- 3.3.1Fabrication of Si3N4/BN Fibrous Monolithic Ceramic.- 3.3.2 Mechanical Properties at Elevated Temperatures.- 3.3.2.1 Creep Resistance.- 3.3.2.2 Thermal Shock Behavior.- 3.4 Conclusions.- Acknowledgement.- References.- 4 Microstructural Design : Si/SiC Composites Derived from Wood.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Experimental Work.- 4.2.1 Starting Materials.- 4.2.2 Fabrication Process.- 4.2.3 Testing.- 4.3 Results and Discussion.- 4.3.1 XRD Analysis and Phase Composition.- 4.3.2 Microstructure.- 4.3.3 Mechanical Properties.- 4.3.4 Reaction Mechanism.- 4.3.5 Removal of Free Silicon.- Acknowledgements.- References.- 5 Microstructure through Design in-situ Seeding Technique.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Experimental Work.- 5.2.1 Preparation of ?-Si3N4 Seeds.- 5.2.2 Sample Preparation.- 5.2.3 Microstructural Analysis.- 5.2.4 Characterization.- 5.3 Results and Discussion.- 5.4 Summary and Conclusions.- Acknowledgements.- References.- 6 Directional Solidification : ZrB2-LaB6 Eutectic Composites.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Experimental Work.- 6.3 Results and Discussion.- 6.4 Conclusions.- Acknowledgements.- References.- 7 A Co-Sedimentation Technique to Fabricate Continuous Gradient Composites.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Physical Modeling.- 7.3 Numerical Modeling.- 7.3.1 The Continuum Equation.- 7.3.2 Initial Conditions.- 7.3.3 Mathematical Model Based on Co-sedimentation.- 7.4 Results and Discussions.- 7.4.1 The Effect of Particle Sizes on the Deposited Mass per Unit Time.- 7.4.2 The Influence of Suspension Height.- 7.5 Validation of the Model.- 7.6 Conclusions.- Acknowledgements.- References.- 8 Spark Plasma Sintering : A Promising New Technique and its Mechanism.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Experimental Work.- 8.2.1 The Sintering Resistance.- 8.2.2 The Microstructure.- 8.2.3 The Analysis of Vapor.- 8.3 Results.- 8.3.1 The Sintering Resistance.- 8.3.2 The Microstructure.- 8.3.3 The Analysis on Vapor Deposit.- 8.4 Discussion.- 8.5 Conclusions.- Acknowledgments.- References.- 9 Pulsed Chemical Vapor Infiltration : Carbon/SiC Nanocomposites.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 Experimental Work.- 9.2.1 Preparation of Specimen.- 9.2.2 PCVI Process.- 9.2.3 Mechanical and Physical Properties.- 9.2.4 Microstructure Examination.- 9.3 Results and Discussion.- 9.3.1 Mechanical Properties.- 9.3.2 Formation of Nanofibers.- 9.3.2 Formation of Nanofibers.- 9.3.3 Composition and Structure of the Nanofiber.- 9.4 Summary.- Acknowledgements.- References.- 10 Metal Oxidation Process : NiAl/Al2O3 Composites.- 10.1 Introduction.- 10.2 Experimental Work.- 10.3 Results and Discussion.- 10.3.1 Ball Milling Followed by Oxidation.- 10.3.2 Sedimentation Followed by Oxidation.- 10.4 Conclusions.- Acknowledgment.- References.- 11 Co-electroplating Nano-ceramic Particulates with Ni Layer.- 11.1 Introduction.- 11.2 Experimental Procedures.- 11.3 Results and Discussion.- 11.3.1 Modeling of Composite Plating.- 11.3.2 Microstructure.- 11.4 Conclusions.- References.- 12 Hot-Pressing Technique : SiC/AlN Composites.- 12.1 Introduction.- 12.2 Applications of Silicon Carbide Ceramics.- 12.3 SiC/AlN Particulate Composites.- 12.3.1 Microstructure.- 12.3.2 Microhardness.- 12.3.3 Mechanical Properties.- 12.4 Conclusions.- Acknowledgements.- References.- 13 Nondestructive Evaluation of Strength and Residual Stress using Sphere Indentation.- 13.1 Introduction.- 13.2 Effect of Stress Gradient on Fracture.- 13.3 Critical Issues and Local Strength.- 13.4 Experimental Work.- 13.5 Proof Tests of Strength.- 13.6 Discussions and Conclusions.- Acknowledgements.- References.- 14 Machinable Ceramic Graded Composites.- 14.1 Introduction.- 14.2 Basic Design Principles.- 14.3 Machinable Graded Si3N4/h-BN Composite.- 14.4 Machinable Graded Al2O3/LaPO4 Composite.- 14.5 Conclusions.- References.- 15 Future of Structural Multi-phase Ceramics.- 15.1 Obstacles for the Applications of Ceramics.- 15.2 Novel Materials.- 15.3 Challenges.- References.