Abstract—Particles are the most common and cheapest reinforcement producing discontinuous reinforced composites with isotropic properties. Conventional fabrication methods can be used to produce a wide range of product forms, making them relatively inexpensive. Optimising composite development must include consideration of all the fundamental aspect of particles including their size, shape, volume fraction, distribution and mechanical properties. Research has shown that the challenges of low fracture toughness, poor crack growth resistance and low thermal stability can be overcome by reinforcement with particles. The unique properties exhibited by micro particles reinforced ceramic composites have made them to be highly attractive in a vast array of applications. Keywords—Ceramic composites, Mechanical properties, Micro- particles, Thermal stability. I. INTRODUCTION UE to technological progress, conventional metal alloys, ceramics, and polymeric materials have become insufficient to meet increasing demands on product capabilities and functions [1]. Hence, materials with unusual combinations of properties that cannot be met by the conventional materials are needed. This is especially true for materials that are needed for aerospace, underwater, and transportation applications. For example, aircraft engineers are increasingly searching for materials that have low densities, high strength and toughness (stiffness), high impact and thermal stability, high corrosion and wear resistance [2]. This is a rather formidable combination of properties. Hence, material-property combinations and ranges have been and are being extended by the development of composite materials [3]. Composites are being sought after as replacement for these conventional materials due to the unique properties they exhibit in various applications. Composites represent a definite combination of chemically and structurally different constituent materials whose combination produces a synergistic effect and aggregate properties that are different from those of its constituents [2]. Materials containing fibers or particles reinforcement belong to the class of materials known as composite [4]. A composite can be defined as a O.P. Gbenebor, B.O. Bolasodun and I.O. Rufai are with the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of Lagos, Akoka, Nigeria (e-mail: ogbenebor@unilag.edu.ng, bbolasodun@unilag.edu.ng, iadamson@unilag.edu.ng). V.O. Durowaye is with the Department of Chemistry, International School (ISL), University of Lagos, Akoka, Nigeria (e-mail: vdurowaye@unilag.edu.ng). S.I. Durowaye is with the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of Lagos, Akoka, Nigeria (phone: +2348036844029, e-mail: durosteve02@yahoo.com). combination of two or more distinct materials at a macroscopic level to attain new properties that cannot be achieved by those individual components. Different from metallic alloys, each material keeps its own chemical, physical and mechanical properties [5]. However, the properties of composites are strongly dependent on the characteristics of their constituents in terms of distribution and mode of interaction. This is why composites’ behaviours are either the volume fraction sum of constituents’ properties or synergy resulting in improved characteristics. Similarly, the concentration and geometry of reinforcements with regard to shape, size and distribution usually imparts significantly on the composite’s properties [2]. Compared with traditional metallic materials, the main advantages of composites are: good vibration damping ability, long fatigue life and high wear, creep, corrosion and thermal resistances [5]. The above advantages make composite materials to be widely used in various fields. In aeronautic structures, composite materials are increasingly being utilised to decrease weight for payload and radius purposes. For example, the percentages by weight of composites in USA fighter jets increased from 2% in F-15E to 35.2% in F-35/CV. The overall structure of Euro fighter Typhoon is composed of 40% carbon-fiber composite materials. For commercial aircrafts, the usage percentages of fiber-reinforced composite materials in the latest Boeing B787 and newly designed Airbus A350-XWB reach 50% and 52% respectively. To meet the performance and fuel efficiency requirements, the consumption of composites in automobile industry is growing. The blades of wind turbines are normally made of composites to improve electrical energy efficiency [5]. In ships or infrastructures, composite materials with high corrosion resistance have received wide acceptance. Above all, the brake and engine parts working in high temperature are often fabricated from metal or ceramic composites. II. MATERIALS SELECTION IN CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITES (CMCS) Some criteria need to be considered before a right selection of reinforcement and matrix materials can be made. Some of these criteria are inter-related and are: compatibility, thermal property, fabrication method, application and cost [6]. The chemical stability, wettability and compatibility of the reinforcement with the matrix material are important, not only for materials fabrication, but also for application because all reinforcements are not compatible with every matrix. The wetting and bonding between the matrix and reinforcement are generally regarded as the major issues in producing composite Micro Particles Effect on Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Ceramic Composites - A Review S. I. Durowaye, O. P. Gbenebor, B. O. Bolasodun, I. O. Rufai, V. O. Durowaye D World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology International Journal of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering Vol:8, No:12, 2014 1443 International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 8(12) 2014 scholar.waset.org/1307-6892/10000087 International Science Index, Materials and Metallurgical Engineering Vol:8, No:12, 2014 waset.org/Publication/10000087