High compressive strength in nacre-inspired Al−7Si−5Cu/Al2O3–ZrO2 composites at room and elevated temperatures by regulating interfacial reaction

• Published in: Ceramics international Vol. 43; no. 9; pp. 7369 - 7373
• Main Authors: Guo, Rui-Fen, Shen, Ping, Li, Shi-Xin, Shaga, Alateng, Jiang, Qi-Chuan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 15.06.2017
• Subjects: Compressive strength; Ice-templating; Interfacial reaction; Pressure infiltration; Pressure infiltration; Compressive strength; Interfacial reaction; Ice-templating
• ISSN: 0272-8842; 1873-3956
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2017.02.133

Al−7Si−5Cu/Al2O3−ZrO2 composites with nacre-like structures were prepared via ice-templating and gas pressure infiltration techniques. The composites were subsequently heat-treated at 850°C for 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120min to regulate the interfacial reaction between Al and ZrO2. The yield of larger (Al1−m, Sim)3Zr and ZrSi2 phases increased with longer dwell times. The compressive strength initially increased and then decreased. The highest strength was observed in composites treated for 60min and reached 1600±40, 1261±30 and 1033±22MPa at temperatures of 20, 150 and 300°C, respectively. These values increased by 30−40% as compared to those of the non-treated counterparts and were 2-, 5- and 12-fold more than those of the matrix alloy, respectively, which is demonstrative of the material's excellent load-bearing capacity, particularly at elevated temperatures.