E. Stoll et al. Joumal of the European Ceramic Sociery 26(2006)1567-1576 Fig. 6. SEM micrographs of a Nextel M 720 fibre mat infiltrated with alumina particles by EPD showing:(a)complete and homogeneous infiltration of the NextelTM 720 fibre mat; and(b)high"green"density of the matrix would limit fibre "pull-out"during fracture and the homogeneous microstructure can be obtained, as observed in I would fail in a brittle manner. The possibility of ob- Fig 8b taining an efficient densification of the matrix using shorter sintering time at lower temperatures must be therefore ex- 3. 2.2. Process II: simultaneous EPD of several fibre mats(Nextel 720) Fig. 8a shows a schematic diagram describing the ig. 9 shows a representative SEM micrograph of a sin- nterlocking mechanism of Al2 O3 particles which takes place tered composite fabricated by simultaneous electrophoretic by lamination is shown. During the lamination process at were well infiltrated by the Al2O3 particles In previo V during the warm lamination process. In Fig. 8b, a SEM mi- deposition of four fibre mats, using the cell designed in thi rograph of the microstructure of a composite fabricated study(Fig. 4). The micrograph reveals that the fibre to .80C, Al2O3 particles from the electrophoretically infil- vestigations, the potential of EPD to infiltrate several oxide trated fibre mats and from the paste used for lamination come fibre mats simultaneously has been suggested. However, into close contact. Pores in the" green"matrix are filled by this is the first time that a high-quality infiltration of several AlO particles being pressed together due to the relatively non-conductive fibre mats by ceramic particles using a single low viscosity of the PVA in the paste at 80C. Conse- EPD cycle has been demonstrated, which represents a sub- quently, a compact of high"green"density and relatively stantial improvement in terms of saving processing time and Nextel 720 NextelTM720 Fig. 7. SEM micrographs showing the interface region between a Nextel 720 fibre and the alumina matrix: (a)"green body" and (b) sintered composite (1300° for I h1572 E. Stoll et al. / Journal of the European Ceramic Society 26 (2006) 1567–1576 Fig. 6. SEM micrographs of a NextelTM 720 fibre mat infiltrated with alumina particles by EPD showing: (a) complete and homogeneous infiltration of the NextelTM 720 fibre mat; and (b) high “green” density of the matrix. since it would limit fibre “pull-out” during fracture and the material would fail in a brittle manner.1 The possibility of ob￾taining an efficient densification of the matrix using shorter sintering time at lower temperatures must be therefore ex￾plored. Fig. 8a shows a schematic diagram describing the interlocking mechanism of Al2O3 particles which takes place during the warm lamination process. In Fig. 8b, a SEM mi￾crograph of the microstructure of a composite fabricated by lamination is shown. During the lamination process at ∼80 ◦C, Al2O3 particles from the electrophoretically infil￾trated fibre mats and from the paste used for lamination come into close contact. Pores in the “green” matrix are filled by Al2O3 particles being pressed together due to the relatively low viscosity of the PVA in the paste at ∼80 ◦C. Conse￾quently, a compact of high “green” density and relatively homogeneous microstructure can be obtained, as observed in Fig. 8b. 3.2.2. Process II: simultaneous EPD of several fibre mats (NextelTM 720) Fig. 9 shows a representative SEM micrograph of a sin￾tered composite fabricated by simultaneous electrophoretic deposition of four fibre mats, using the cell designed in this study (Fig. 4). The micrograph reveals that the fibre tows were well infiltrated by the Al2O3 particles. In previous in￾vestigations, the potential of EPD to infiltrate several oxide fibre mats simultaneously has been suggested.25 However, this is the first time that a high-quality infiltration of several non-conductive fibre mats by ceramic particles using a single EPD cycle has been demonstrated, which represents a sub￾stantial improvement in terms of saving processing time and Fig. 7. SEM micrographs showing the interface region between a NextelTM 720 fibre and the alumina matrix: (a) “green body”; and (b) sintered composite (1300 ◦C for 1 h)