A transforming interpenetrating-phase cermet with high strength and energy dissipation capacity

Cermets generally exhibit a trade-off between strength and energy dissipation capacity. By applying a dual design strategy combining bioinspired architecting and metastability engineering, we developed a transforming interpenetrating-phase cermet made from zirconia ceramic preform infiltrated with an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy. The cermet micro-pillars possessed compressive yield strengths of 773 ± 62 MPa and energy dissipation densities of 110 ± 8 MJ·m⁻³, 50% and 45% higher than those of the monolithic Al alloy, respectively. These results are attributed to the interpenetrating-phase architecture, stress-induced martensitic transformation in the ceramics, robust interfacial bonding, and high-density dislocations near the interfaces. By combining the bioinspired architecting and metastability engineering strategies, we developed a cermet made from phase-transforming ceramic with an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy with high strength and energy dissipation density.