Strengthening and toughening of cordierite by the addition of silicon carbide whiskers, platelets and particles

Abstract

Cordierite containing silicon carbide of different morphologies has been fabricated to produce composites with superior properties to the unreinforced cordierite. It has been demonstrated that the morphology of the silicon carbide affects the densification and the mechanical properties of the composites they constitute. The densification process was controlled by the degree of mutual contact of the silicon carbide phase within the cordierite matrix and by the rigidity of the resulting networks. The operative toughening mechanisms and their relative contributions were also dependent on the morphology of the silicon carbide. Fracture strength of the composites was governed by the relative contributions of an improvement in fracture toughness and by the magnitude of the critical flaw size.