Multilayer composites in Al2O3/MoSi2 system

A new multilayer composite with a super-plastic layer, a hard layer and a weak interface was proposed. The hard layer can provide the strength of the multilayer composites at high temperature, the plastic layer can deform plastically at high temperature and disperse the applied stress and stop the advance of the crack, and the weak interface can deflect the propagating crack at room temperature. Such multilayer composites were prepared by tape casting in the AL(2)O(3)/TiC/MoSi2-Mo2B5 system. It was found that such design is effective on the increase of fracture energy both at room temperature and at high temperature, and the strength at high temperature could be remained in a relatively high revel. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.