Atomic-Scale Investigation on Fracture Toughness in Nanocomposite Silicon Carbide.

Ceramic materials are attractive for structural applications because of their low density, chemical inertness, high strenght, high hardness and high-temperature stability. However they have inherently low fracture toughness, so that plastic deformation in ceramics is found to be extremely limited. Ceramic matrix composites (CMC) have been therefore developed to overcome the intrinsic brittleness and lack of reliability of monolithic samples. CMC's consist of a ceramic matrix reinforced with inclusions, such as particles, whiskers or chopped fibers (fiber thoughening). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]