Processing and Characterisation of Alumina/Eucryptite Nanostructured Composites.

Alumina is one of the most studied and used ceramic materials, but increasing its fracture toughness is still a challenge for many specific impact applications. Adding a second phase with a low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) to an alumina matrix can enhance the matrix's mechanical properties, reduce its sintering temperature, and increase its toughness by generating compressive stresses on the alumina particle surface. In this study, nanostructured alumina/eucryptite composites were prepared to achieve enhanced toughness.