Improving the mechanical properties of Al2O3/Ni laminated composites by adding Ni particles in Al2O3 layers

The (Al2O3 + Ni) composite, (Al2O3 + Ni)/Ni and Al2O3/(Al2O3 + Ni)/Ni laminated materials were prepared by aqueous tape casting and hot pressing. Results indicated that the (Al2O3 + Ni) composite had higher strength and fracture toughness than those of pure Al2O3. The fracture toughness of (Al2O3 + Ni)/Ni and Al2O3/(Al2O3 + Ni)/Ni laminated materials was higher than not only those of pure Al2O3, but also those of Al2O3/Ni laminar with the same layer numbers and thickness ratio. It was found that the toughness of the Al2O3/(Al2O3 + Ni)/Ni laminated material with five layers and layer thickness ratio = 2 could reach 16.10 MPa m1/2, which were about 4.6 times of pure Al2O3. The strength and toughness of the (Al2O3 + Ni)/Ni laminated material with three layers and layer thickness ratio = 2 could reach 417.41 MPa and 12.42 MPa m1/2. It indicated the material had better mechanical property.