The Microstructure and Properties of Plasma Sprayed Ceramic Composites
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Issue Date
1-Dec-10
Authors
LaPierre, Kerry James
Publisher
The Graduate School, Stony Brook University: Stony Brook, NY.
Keywords
Abstract
The microstructure and properties of plasma-sprayed ceramics and ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) have been investigated. Substrate-free deposits were fabricated by plasma spraying onto expendable graphite substrates. The deposits were evaluated in the as-sprayed and heat-treated conditions. X-ray diffractometry (XRD) was used in conjunction with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to examine the phase content and transformation temperatures of plasma-sprayed Al2O3. Mechanical properties were measured using three-point flexural testing and density measurements were made for both the as-sprayed and heat treated conditions. Significant increases in modulus and strength were achieved as a result of post. spray heat treatment.Having established baseline properties with respect to the pure matrix material, the effect of incorporating a second phase was examined. Ceramic matrix composites were fabricated by plasma-spraying a mechanical mixture of Al2O3 and SiC particulate. Composites consisted of particulate SiC and re-solidified inclusions in an Al2O3 matrix. Significant improvements in strength and modulus resulted from the incorporation of second phase combined with heat-treatment