Ceramic Matrix Composites

The theme of this book is the processing, structure, properties and performance of ceramic matrix composites. The term ceramic here includes inorganic silica-based glasses, crystalline ceramics, glass-ceramics, intermetallics, and carbon. All of these have an implicit unifying thread in that they are all brittle and fairly high temperature materials. After an introductory chapter, the processing, microstructure and properties of various ceramic matrix materials, reinforcements and their composites are described. As rather dramatic developments have occurred in the area of ceramic fibrous reinforcements and the processing of ceramic matrix composites, these are dealt with in some detail. New techniques such as sol-gel processing and obtaining ceramics from polymeric precursors are included. The next chapters cover the topics of the interface region in ceramic composites, mechanical and physical properties, including the role of thermal stresses and the very important subject of toughness of ceramic matrix composites. Laminated composites made of ceramics are described in a separate chapter. Finally, a chapter is devoted to various applications of ceramic matrix composites.
Throughout the text, the underlying relationships between processing, microstructure and properties are brought out.