Ceramic Matrix Composites

Ceramic materials in general have a very attractive package of properties: high strength and high stiffness at very high temperatures, chemical inertness, low density, and so on. This attractive package is marred by one deadly flaw, namely, an utter lack of toughness. They are prone to catastrophic failures in the presence of flaws (surface or internal). They are extremely susceptible to thermal shock and any damage done to them during fabrication and/or service. It is therefore understandable that on overriding consideration in ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) has been to toughen the ceramic matrices by incorporating fibers in them and thus exploit the attractive high-temperature strength and environmental resistance of ceramic materials without risking a catastrophic failure.