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Effect of Mechanical Milling and Sintering Parameters on the Mechanical Properties of SiC-ZrO2
L. Anggraini1, R. Yamamoto1, H. Fujiwara2, K. Ameyama3
1 Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Nojihigashi Kusatsu, Shiga 525 – 8577, Japan
2 Faculty of Science and Engineering, Doshisha University, 1-3 Miyakodani Tatara Kyotanabe, Kyoto 610 – 0394, Japan
3 Faculty of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Nojihigashi Kusatsu, Shiga 525 – 8577, Japan
received March 31, 2011, received in revised form May 6, 2011, accepted June 3, 2011
Vol. 2, No. 3, Pages 139-146 DOI: 10.4416/JCST2011-00017
Abstract
Silicon carbide with 50 mass% zirconia ceramic matrix composites were processed by mechanical milling (MM) followed by spark plasma sintering (SPS). By controlling the parameters of MM and SPS, an ultra-fine ZrO2 grain was homogeneously dispersed on the surface of a fine SiC powder, forming a network microstructure. The mechanical properties and the densification behavior of the SiC-ZrO2 composites were investigated. The effects of the milling time on the microstructure and on the mechanical properties of the composite are discussed. The results indicate that the composite mechanically milled for 40 hours and sintered at 1773 K had the highest relative density of 98 %, along with a flexural strength of 1128 MPa and a fracture toughness of 10.7 MPa·m1/2. These superior mechanical properties were influenced by the microstructure characteristics such as the homogeneous particle dispersion. Thus, the network microstructure can be considered a remarkable design tool for improving the mechanical properties of SiC-ZrO2, as well as other ceramic composite materials.
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Keywords
Mechanical milling, spark plasma sintering, SiC-ZrO2, microstructure, mechanical properties
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