Flexure Strength of Metal Mesh Reinforced Ceramic Matrix Composite Fabricated Using Plasma Spray Method

Many ceramic materials are microstructurally stable at high temperatures, but exhibit poor mechanical properties under load. In this study, a Ni-base superalloy wire mesh is used as a reinforcement to strengthen a 6.15 mm thick layer of plasma-sprayed YSZ. The flexural performance of the ceramic matrix composite (CMC), as determined by a three-point bend test, exceeds that of monolithic YSZ in terms of peak load and displacement before fracture. Heat treatment of the CMC further increases the load at the onset of crack initiation due to enhanced bonding between the constituent materials.