Strengthening mechanisms and fracture surface characteristics of silicate glass matrix composites with inclusion of alumina particles of different particle sizes

Strengthening mechanisms of silicate glass by the inclusion of alumina particles of different volume fractions and different particle sizes are reported. The formulas of three responsible strengthening mechanisms, based on inclusion/crack interactions and interfacial elemental diffusion, were deduced; these include crack deflection, crack bridging and interdiffusion. The strength of the glass/alumina composites increased with inclusion fraction, but followed strengthening mechanisms that varied with alumina particle size. Crack deflection and bridging mechanisms dominated in strengthening for the glass/alumina (at mean particle size of 6 μm) composites while interdiffusion mechanism played a major role in the glass/alumina (at mean particle size of 1 μm) composites. The theoretical deduction of strengthening mechanisms depending on the particle size of alumina inclusions was demonstrated by the experimental strength data and fracture surface characteristics of the glass/alumina composites.