Partially stabilized zro.sub.2 -based laminar ceramic composites

Abstract

In a Ce-ZrO.sub.2 -based laminar composite having enhanced fracture toughness, alternating barrier layers comprise a ceramic material that undergoes stress-induced phase transformation, if any, less readily than Ce-ZrO.sub.2. Separation of the barrier layers is normally in the range of about 10-200 .mu.m, with optimum individual barrier layer thicknesses at the lower end of the range. Powders of ceramic materials comprising the individual layers of the composite are dispersed in separate slurries. The pH of the slurries is adjusted to form coagulations in which the particles settle without mass segregation and can be consolidated to high density by centrifuging. After centrifuging, the supernatant liquid can be removed and a desired volume of another slurry can be added on top of the first layer of consolidated material. This process can be repeated indefinitely to form a consolidated structure having individual layers as thin as approximately 10 .mu.m. The consolidated structure may be pressed, shaped, dried, and sintered to form the laminar composite. In the composite, interactions between a barrier layer and the martensitic transformation zone surrounding a crack or indentation spread the transformation zone along the region adjacent to the barrier layer. As a result, barrier layers provide large increases in toughness for cracks growing parallel or normal to the layers.