Synergistic toughening of a hybrid NiAl composite reinforced with partially stabilized zirconia and molybdenum particles

This paper presents preliminary experimental evidence of synergistic interactions between transformation toughening and crack bridging in an NiAl composite reinforced with 2 mol% yttria partially stabilized zirconia and molybdenum particles. The observed levels of synergy are shown to be consistent with predictions from a theoretical model by Amazigo and Budiansky (J.C. Amazigo, B. Budiansky, J. Mech. Phys. Solids 36 (1988) 581–595.). The implications of the results are also discussed for the potential development of synergistically toughened intermetallic and ceramic composites.