Status on the unidirectionally solidified eutectic composite

This paper reviews the manufacturing method of the unidirectionally solidified eutectic composite. A unidirectionally solidified Al2O3/YAG eutectic composite has superior flexural strength, thermal stability and creep resistance at high-temperature up to 2073K. For example, the flexural strength is 350 similar to 400MPa indepedent of testing temperature from room temperature to 2073K (just below its melting point of 2100K). During tensile test above 1923K, the eutectic composite shows the evidence of plastic deformation occurring by dislocation motion, and a yield phenomenon similar to many metals observed. The microstructure of the composite is extremely stable after heat treatment at 1973K for 1000h in air atmosphere. It may be expected that it would be a new heat-resistant structural material in the twenty-one century.