Abstract: The strength and toughness of materials are closely related to the wear resistance of materials. In this paper,the strength and toughness and fracture mechanism of zirconia toughened alumina ceramic particles ( ZTA p ) reinforced metal matrix composites were studied to provide reference for improving the wear resistance of ZTA p reinforced metal matrix composites. Firstly, ZTA p / Fe45 composites with different particle sizes and different volume fractions were prepared by vacuum sintering technology. The tensile properties,bending properties and impact toughness of the composites were measured. The fractures of the composites were observed by scanning electron microscope(SEM)to analyze the fracture mechanism of the composites. The results show that the addition of ZTA p reduces the strength of the composites,but increases the toughness of the composites. As the volume fraction of ZTA p increases,the flexural strength of the composites decreases gradually. The impact toughness of the composites first increases and then decreases with the increase of ZTA p size. The impact toughness of
ZTA p / Fe45 composites with particle sizes of 2. 0 mm and 2. 5 mm(F14 and F12)is higher than that of Fe45 matrix. The fracture of ZTA p / Fe45 composites is brittle fracture,in which the fracture mechanism of Fe45 matrix is cleavage fracture. ZTA p mainly have two failure forms,namely particle fracture and particle debonding and pulling out.