Fabrication and characterization of ceramic matrix composites reinforced by in situ formation of β-silicon carbide

Ceramic matrix composites with greatly improved hardness and fracture toughness due to the in situ formation of β-SiC were fabricated. The maximum density, Vickers hardness and fracture toughness were 5.75 g cm−3, 29.63 GPa and of 10.60 MPa m1/2, respectively. The improvement in fracture toughness was due to not only the crack blockage or deflection by uniform dispersion of in situ formed β-SiC, but also the phase transformation of t–m-ZrO2 accelerated by the residual stresses.