Thermal expansion behavior of a model ceramic–metal composite

In the present study, dense Al2O3–NiAl composites containing 0–100 vol.% Al2O3 are prepared, and their linear coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) determined. Comparison is made between the experimental data and several model predictions. Among the model predictions, the Kerner and Turner models not only offer respectively the highest and lowest values but also cover most the experimental data. As the CTEs of the two phases are close to each other, the two model predictions can serve as the upper and lower bounds for the CTE of two-phase materials up to 400 °C.