Abstract
Alumina coated SiC whiskers were prepared by homogeneous precipitation of aluminum sulfate. The Si3N4 composites reinforced with coated SiC whiskers were fabricated by hot-pressing at $1800^{\circ}C$ for 2 h under an $N_{2}$ atmosphere of 0.1 MPa to examine the effects of coated whiskers on the mechanical properties of SiC whisker reinforced $Si_{3}N_{4}$ composite. By the addition of alumina coated SiC whiskers instead of as received ones, the fracture toughness of composite was about 6.7 $MPam^{1/2}$ which was slightly lower than as received SiC whisker reinforced composite. This result seems to be caused by the fact that the crack deflection and whisker pull-out were decreased. Thus, alumina coated SiC whiskers were considered to form relatively strong interface bond with $Si_{3}N_{4}$ matrix.
