Ceramic Reinforcement

Thermal Stresses and Properties. In general, ceramic reinforcements (fibers, whiskers, or particles) have a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than that of most metallic matrices. This means that when the composite is subjected to a temperature change, thermal stresses are generated in both components. 

Boltzmann s constant, and T is tempeiatuie in kelvin. In general, the creep resistance of metal is improved by the incorporation of ceramic reinforcements. The steady-state creep rate as a function of appHed stress for silver matrix and tungsten fiber—silver matrix composites at 600°C is an example (Fig. 18) (52). The modeling of creep behavior of MMCs is compHcated because in the temperature regime where the metal matrix may be creeping, the ceramic reinforcement is likely to be deforming elastically. 

Fibrous Composites. These composites consist of fibers in a matrix. The fibers may be short or discontinuous and randomly arranged continuous filaments arranged parallel to each other in the form of woven rovings (coUections of bundles of continuous filaments) or braided (8). In the case of chopped strand mat the random arrangement is planar. In whisker (needle-shaped crystals or filaments of carbon and ceramics) reinforced materials the arrangement is usually three-dimensional and the resulting composites are macroscopically homogeneous. 

A rapidly increasing number of publications on polysilanes documents current interest in these polymers (JJ. Polysilanes are potentially applicable in microlithography as high resolution UV-resists (2J, imageable etch barriers ), or contrast enhancement layers (4). They have been successfully used as precursors to Si-C fibers (5J and ceramic reinforcing agents ((L). Polysilanes have also initiated polymerization of vinyl monomers (J ). Doping of polysilanes have increased their conductivity to the level of semiconductors (8). Very recently polysilanes were used as photoconductors (9) and non-linear optical materials (10b... 

Ceramic refractories, 12 763 Ceramic reinforcements, in metal-matrix composites, 16 181... 

Figure 5.115 Stress-strain diagrams for lithiumaluminosilicate glass ceramic reinforced with 50% SiC fibers in various orientations. From Ceramic Microstructures, by W. E. Lee and W. M. Rainforth, p. 103. Copyright 1994 by William E. Lee and W. Mark Rainforth, with kind permission of Kluwer Academic Publishers.

The stress-strain curves for cortical bones at various strain rates are shown in Figure 5.130. The mechanical behavior is as expected from a composite of linear elastic ceramic reinforcement (HA) and a compliant, ductile polymer matrix (collagen). In fact, the tensile modulus values for bone can be modeled to within a factor of two by a rule-of-mixtures calculation on the basis of a 0.5 volume fraction HA-reinforced... 

SiAlON (Si3N4-Al203) ceramics reinforced with BN powder are used as break rings in continuous casting and for nozzles. The addition of BN provides better thermal shock resistance [127]. 

Reinforcements in the form of continuous fibres, short fibres, whiskers or particles are available commercially. Continuous ceramic fibres are very attractive as reinforcements in high-temperature structural materials. They provide high strength and elastic modulus with high temperature-resistant capability and are free from environmental attack. Ceramic reinforcement materials are divided into oxide and non-oxide categories, listed in Table 3.1. The chemical compositions of some commercially available oxide and non-oxide reinforcements are given in Table 3.2 and Table 3.3. 

Commercially available non-oxide ceramic reinforcements are in three categories continuous, discontinuous, and whiskers. The great breakthrough in the ceramic fibre area has been the concept of pyrolysing polymers under controlled conditions, containing the desired species to produce high-temperature ceramic fibres. Silicon carbide fibre is a major development in the field of ceramic reinforcements. 

Silicon nitride ceramics reinforced with carbon fibers and carbon nanotubes... 

Particulate Filled plastics and rubbers "Cermets" (ceramics reinforced metals)... 

As mentioned previously, one of the major concerns for glass-ceramics reinforced with continuous fibers is the effect of matrix cracks in oxidizing environments. An important parameter in this kind of composite is the... 

Ceramic reinforcing fibers are mainly utilized for the manufacture of composites with ... 

Ceramic reinforcing fibers are utilized both in a continuous form (endless fibers) and in a discontinuous form (e.g. whiskers, short fibers). Most of the continuous fibers are utilized in the manufacture of composites with polymer matrices (PMC), where they are in competition with other high performance fibers (boron, carbon fibers), mainly for military or aerospace applications. Discontinuous fibers are generally used for the manufacture of metal matrix (MMC) and ceramic matrix (CMC) composites. 

Chemical Economics Handlrook. 2/1997. Stanford Research Institute, ceramic Reinforcing Fibers, 542.6000K - Z and. 542.6002A - /. and. 542.6002A -C Silica Fibers, 542.6001 P - Z and 542.6002A - U. 

Cylindrically converging shock waves on powders were used to make mixtures of diamonds and hBN. BN fiber reinforced Zr02 was described . A nanostructured composite of magnetic particles of FOj N in a nonmagnetic matrix of BN is made via an inorganic geP. Fabrication of BN-B4 composites was reported . Consolidation of novel sintered composites formed from high pressure crystallization of amorphous ceramics was also described. The literature discusses other ceramics reinforced with BN fibers, as welF . ... 

Ceramics reinforced with such fibers may increase the energy efficiency of engines by allowing them to run as... 

Metal/ceramic PBs are not only the most important feature in ceramic-reinforced metal-matrix composites, but they also occur when metals are oxidized or when oxides are reduced to the metal or when a metal film is grown on a ceramic substrate (or vice versa). In Figure 15.19 particles of W have grown on a single-crystal thin film of SiC. The... 

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