Escape from the strength-to-toughness paradox: Bulk ceramics through dual composite architectures

This paper describes an approach to escape from the classic strength-toughness trade-off in bulk ceramics using the dual composite architectural concept. The key questions addressed by the research were: can dual composite architectures be fabricated? -how do dual composite architectures affect the physical properties of ceramics? -do dual composite architectures affect the mechanical behavior of composites? -do dual composite architectures have increased damage tolerance at elevated temperatures? These questions were answered positively. Reinforcing granules dispersed in loose powder mixtures were hot-pressed to obtain fully dense dual composite architectures with target overall composition. Defined sub-composites (labeled granule and matrix) of similar compositions, but differing engineered microstructures, were successfully retained. The brittle-to-ductile transition of MoSi2 above 1400 K enabled the simultaneous increase in both strength and toughness, and values of up to 440 MPa and 11.5 MPa?m, respectively, were experimentally determined at 1773 K.