Thermal shock resistance and fracture toughness of liquid-phase-sintered SiC-based ceramics

The effect of the heat treatment on the toughness and thermal shock resistance of the silicon carbide–silicon nitride composites prepared by liquid-phase-sintering was investigated. The fracture toughness has been estimated using the indentation method and the thermal shock resistance was studied using the indentation-quench method. The results were compared to those obtained for a reference silicon carbide material, prepared by the same fabrication route. The indentation toughness increased from 2.88 to 5.39 MPa m1/2 due to the toughening mechanisms (crack deflection, mechanical interlocking and crack branching) occurring in the heat-treated materials during the crack propagation. Similarly the thermal shock resistance increased after the heat treatment of the experimental materials.