R-curve behavior of laminated ZrB2-SiC ceramic with strong interfaces

The damage resistance and R-curve behavior of laminated ZrB2-SiC ceramic fabricated by hot-pressing were investigated using indentation-strength technique. The difference in fracture resistance properties between the monolithic and laminated ZrB2-SiC ceramics was also analyzed and results showed that obvious R-curve behavior was found in laminated ZrB2-SiC ceramic, compared with monolithic ZrB2-SiC ceramics. Moreover, the indentation strength values of laminated ZrB2-SiC ceramic were observed to be insensitive to the increases in the indentation load, which indicated that laminated ZrB2-SiC ceramic has excellent damage resistance. The improvement in damage tolerance and R-curve behavior of laminated ZrB2-SiC ceramic was attributed to the macroscopic crack deflection due to the presence of residual compressive stresses. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.