Microstructure and the fracture toughness of the Al2O3-Fe composites

In the present paper, Al2O3-Fe composites with various weight contents of iron were analysed. The morphology and distribution of the Fe particles within the ceramic matrix were described. Moreover, the fracture toughness (K-IC) of these composites was also measured. The microstructure of the composites contains mostly spherical Fe particles distributed uniformly throughout the Al2O3 matrix. Because the iron is melted during sintering, the Fe particle size in the composites was compared with the starting particle size of iron powder. The K-IC depends on the Fe content in matrix and is limited by FeAl2O4 spinel formed in the composite during sintering. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.