| The incorporation of a metallic phase into a ceramic material is one of the most effective means by which fracture toughness enhancement of the ceramic can be achieved. The extent of this toughness enhancement depends on factors such as the identity and relative proportion of the metal and ceramic phases, the microstructural arrangement of the composite, and the interfacial strength between the metal and ceramic. However, the toughness enhancement celebrated in a given metal-ceramic system can often be offset by unacceptable stiffness and fracture strength levels since the incorporation of metal serves to simultaneously degrade these properties. Hence, proper design of metal-ceramic composites intended for structural use requires a thorough understanding of the delicate balance between the pertinent mechanical properties and how synthesis and microstructural evolution affect this balance.;In this light, metal-ceramic composites of the Ni/... |
