Reaction bonding of oxide/oxide ceramic matrix composites using aluminum nitride as an alumina precursor

Abstract The reaction bonding technique offers a promising approach for controlling matrix sintering shrinkage in oxide/oxide ceramic matrix composites (OCMCs), thereby reducing the sintering cracks and enhancing mechanical properties. In this study, aluminum nitride (AlN) was used as an alumina precursor to fabricate OCMCs via reaction bonding. The results indicated that the mechanical properties of the OCMCs could be greatly improved due to the volume expansion induced by AlN oxidation, which reduced sintering cracks, and the high sintering activity of AlN, which enhanced the particle bonding strength in the matrix. However, the strong bonding between the matrix and fibers, attributed to the high sintering activity of AlN, resulted in the decrease of toughness. These findings confirm that the reaction bonding can effectively improve the mechanical properties of OCMCs, but careful control of matrix‐fiber bonding is essential to optimize overall performance.