Oxide ceramic alloys and microlaminates. Final report, May 1, 1989--October 31, 1997

Major research conducted in this program falls into the following areas: (a) microstructure and micromechanics of superplastic ceramic composites; (b) solute segregation and grain boundary kinetics of ceramic alloys; (c) sintering, grain growth, and texture development of ceramics and thin films; and (d) in-situ and microlaminate oxide composites. The basic approach to the above research is to utilize the state of the art methods to process colloidal and green ceramics, to employ crystal chemistry and phase equilibria for microalloy and microcomposite design, to comprehensively characterize microstructure development and mechanical performance, to develop models, theories, and simulations to understand the energetics, kinetics and mechanics, and to explore novel microstructures and improved performance for practically important ceramics. Major accomplishments are here.