Laminated ZrB2–SiC ceramic with improved strength and toughness

Laminated ZrB2–SiC ceramic was successfully prepared and layers with different SiC content were stacked in order to develop a specific residual stress profile. The flexural strength and fracture toughness of the laminated ZrB2–SiC ceramic were 960 ± 84 MPa and 8.8 ± 0.3 MPa m1/2 respectively, which were much higher values than those of monolithic ZrB2–SiC ceramics. The significant improvement in mechanical properties was attributed to the presence of residual compressive stresses arising from a mismatch in the thermal coefficient of expansion between the adjacent layers.