Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from Toughening Mechanisms in Ceramic Composites: Semi-Annual Progress Report for the Period Ending September 30, 1988
The achievement of higher efficiency heat engines and heat recovery systems requires the availability of high-temperature, high-performance structural materials. Structural ceramics and, more recently ceramic matrix composites have received particular attention for these applications due to their high strength and excellent resistance to corrosion, erosion and thermal shock. Even with these positive attributes, improved reliabil ity and extended lifetime under service conditions are necessary for strue tural ceramics and ceramic composites to gain wide industrial acceptance. This reliability is only achieved with improved knowledge of in-service damage modes and failure mechanisms, and the processing knowledge to improve this performance by microstructural modifications.' The inherent _problems are mechanical and chemical in nature and are enhanced by the high temperatures, reactive environments, and extreme thermal gradients and thermal cycling, to which these materials are subjected. With an objective of improved performance for heat engine/heat reccy ery applications, the nist program addresses these problems through a de termination and characterization of major toughening mechanisms in ceramic composites, examining both model crack-fiber systems and real composites. A key aspect of the program is a determination of the critical processing factors which influence microstructure and interfacial behavior in these materials, and which thereby influence these toughening mechanisms. The activities of the program are grouped under two major work areas, each designed to develop key data, associated test methods and companion predic tive models. The status of these two work areas are detailed below. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
