Mullite Fiber Reinforced Alumina Ceramic Matrix Composites

Abstract

Mullite fiber reinforced alumina ceramic matrix composites (MFACC) were prepared using CaO-MgO-SiO2 (CMS) and TiO2 as sintering aids. The effects of the contents of sintering aids and mullite fiber on the density and sintering temperature of MFACC are studied. The results showed that when the CMS content is 8.0% and the TiO2 content is 1.0%, the density of the as-sintered MFACC is 98.9%. When the mullite fiber content is 15.0% and the sintering temperature is 1450 °C, the flexural strength of the resultant composite increases to 504.5MPa, 70.7% higher than the original matrix, and the relative density of the composites reaches 98.4%. The reinforcement mechanisms are fibers pull-out and sticky point.