High resolution optical microprobe investigation of surface grinding stresses in Al2O3 and Al2O3/SiC nanocomposites

It has previously been suggested that Al2O3/SiC nanocomposites develop higher surface residual stresses than Al2O3 on grinding and polishing. In this work, high spatial resolution measurements of residual stresses in ground surfaces of alumina and nanocomposites were made by Cr3+ fluorescence microspectroscopy. The residual stresses from grinding were highly inhomogeneous in alumina and 2 vol.% SiC nanocomposites, with stresses ranging from ∼ −2 GPa within the plastically deformed surface layers to ∼ +0.8 GPa in the material beneath them. Out of plane tensile stresses were also present. The stresses were much more uniform in 5 and 10 vol% SiC nanocomposites; no significant tensile stresses were present and the compressive stresses in the surface were ∼ −2.7 GPa. The depth and extent of plastic deformation were similar in all the materials (depth ∼ 0.7–0.85 μm); the greater uniformity and compressive stress in the nanocomposites with 5 and 10 vol% SiC was primarily a consequence of the lack of surface fracture and pullout during grinding. The results help to explain the improved strength and resistance to severe wear of the nanocomposites.