Section 3: Ceramic materials INVITED INTERPHASE BOUNDARIES IN ENGINEERING CERAMICS

Interphase boundaries in engineering ceramics invariably contain thin intergranular films arising from the method of manufacture. Experimental evidence and theoretical understanding of these films is presented and discussed, with particular attention paid to circumstances where such films are not seen. In addition, evidence for and against the development of preferred orientation relationships and good lattice matching at intergranular and interphase boundaries is presented and discussed. This is relevant when developing models for the strength and toughness of engineering ceramics, and it can also be a reason for the absence of intergranular films