Elastic properties and fracture toughness of SiOC-based glass-ceramic nanocomposites

Four different SiOC glass ceramics were synthesized and their fracture toughness (K-Ic) and fracture surface energy (gamma) were assessed by means of the single-edge precracked beam (SEPB) method. In addition, the elastic moduli were measured and the Vickers indentation behavior (hardness and microcracking) was characterized. In particular, the dependence of K-Ic on the free carbon content and on the fraction of crystallized nanoparticles (SiC, ZrO2, HfO2) was investigated. An increase in K-Ic, from about 0.73 to 0.99 MPa root m is observed as the free carbon content is increased from less than 1 to 12 vol%. The addition of Hf and Zr (resulting in 4.5 to 7.8 vol% HfO2 and ZrO2 nanoparticles) was found to increase K-Ic to an extent similar to the free carbon content. Moreover, predicted K-Ic values, assuming that the crack travels through all phases accounting for their respective volume fractions, disrupting the weakest links within the structural units, are in agreement with the experimental values.