Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC) are an attractive material for high temperature applications because they possess many of the high temperature capabilities of monolithic ceramics but also have enhanced mechanical properties due to their multi-phase structure. Zirconia Toughened Alumina (ZTA), as the matrix, has enhanced toughness, strength, and creep resistance over single phase alumina or zirconia. ZTA can further be enhanced by the incorporation of single crystal mullite whiskers due to their stability in oxidizing atmospheres at high temperatures. Mullite whiskers are grown through the
molten salt method and incorporated into the ZTA matrix using a colloidal processing route. The addition of whiskers to ZTA has improved room temperature flexural strength by 120.0%, flexural strength at 1200°C by 53.8%, fracture toughness by 74.1%; but the whiskers have little effect on the hardness. Degradation of large whiskers was found during cyclic oxidation of ZTAw 1200 °C.