The use of structural ceramics is limited by their brittle fracture behavior. Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are materials with structural reinforcements which increase the necessary energy to fracture the material. This paper presents an alternative to produce CMCs possessing matrix and fibers that are made with alumina. The toughening mechanisms occur due to the existence of a porous interface between the matrix and the fibers.
Ceramic matrix composites; fiber-matrix interface; crack bridging