Micromechanical stresses in SiC-reinforced Al2O3 composites

Applying an Eshelby (1957) approach, the internal micromechanical stresses within an SiC-inclusion-reinforced (platelet to whisker geometries) polycrystalline alumina matrix composite were calculated. The results are compared to the experimental residual stress measurements of a SiC-whisker-reinforced Al2O3 by Predecki, et al. (in press) and found to be in excellent agreement. The calculations are then extended to SiC-reinforced composites with polycrystalline mullite, silicon nitride, and cordierite matrices. It is concluded that the internal stresses are significantly influenced by the inclusion geometry as well as the thermoelastic differences between the inclusion and the matrix and also the volume fraction.