ORDERED MICROSTRUCTURES TO IMPROVE CERAMIC MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR IN SURVIVABILITY APPLICATIONS

In a desire to increase the toughness of ceramic materials for survivability applications and drawing on inspiration from natural materials such as nacre, freeze casting was investigated as a means to achieve tougher designs. A system to allow for the controlled freezing of a colloidal suspension is detailed along with the alumina formulation employed. Some initial mechanical testing and SEM imagery shows the resultant microstructures and the effect on hardness.