The mechanical properties and microstructure of the bionic alloy–ceramic laminated composite

In the present work, the bionic alloy–ceramic laminated composite was fabricated by electron beam–physical vapor deposition method. The ingots of Ni–20Co–12Cr–4Al (wt.%) and ZrO2–8 mol%Y2O3 were used as the sources of the alloy layer and ceramic layer, respectively. The laminated composite was generally destroyed within the ceramic layer when the interlaminar strength was determined, which revealed that the excellent interface bonding between the ceramic layer and the alloy layer. The obvious diffusion interfaces between the ceramic and alloy layers were readily detected, which was favorable to the mechanical properties of the laminated composite. In the heat treatment process, the diffusion of the flaws within the ceramic layer and/or alloy layer to the interface between the ceramic layer and alloy layer was easier compared with the occurrence of interlaminar diffusion. It was confirmed by the X-ray diffractometer that the reaction of the ceramic layer with alloy layer was simple physical diffusion. The tensile strength of the laminated composite increased first and then decreased as the heat treatment time increased, which was attributed to the mutual reaction of the increase in the relative density with the formation of the flaws located at the interface.

► The bionic alloy–ceramic laminated composite was fabricated by EB–PVD.
► Mechanical properties and microstructure of laminated composite were investigated.
► Laminated composite was heat treated in order to improve the tensile strength.