This is a copy of the slides presented at the meeting but not formally written up for the volume.

Alumina/SiC nanocomposites are more wear resistant and have better surface finish than pure alumina of a similar grain size. Grain pullouts caused by intergranular fracture are observed on worn surfaces of alumina whereas only a few pullouts resulting from transgranular fracture and scratches caused by plastic deformation are the main features of a worn surface of nanocomposites. Surface mechanical properties were investigated under idealised conditions using indentations. The stress around the indentations was investigated by Cr3+ fluorescence microscopy. The experiments were carried out using a variety of microstructures and varied indentation loads. In addition, the surface damage below indentations and worn surfaces was examined by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). TEM samples were prepared by Focused Ion Beam (FIB) milling directly from the surface.