Abstract:A ZrO(NO3)2·2H2O ceramic matrix composite is fabricated by using heating alcohol-aqueous solution and freeze-drying met hod with ZrO(NO3)2·2H2O and tetragonal ZrO2 whisker as start materials. The effects of tetragonal ZrO2 whisker on the phase composition, microstructure, thermal conductivity and compressive strength of porous ZrO2(w)/ZrO2 composite are investigated. The results indicate that ZrO2 whisker could restrain the transformation of ZrO2 from tetragonal to monoclinic effectively. When the sintering temperature is 1 100℃ , porous ZrO2(w)/ZrO2 composite is composed of tetragonal phase, and ZrO2 ceramic is composed of monoclinic phase. The thermal conductivity of porous ZrO2(w)/ZrO2 composite is far less than that of porous ZrO2 ceramic. And the compressive strength of porous ZrO2(w)/ZrO2 composite is much higher than that of porous ZrO2 ceramic.