Our website is currently undergoing maintenance. Article records and full texts remain available. Submissions can be made through the Editorial Manager.

Effect of Mechanical Milling and Sintering Parameters on the Mechanical Properties of SiC-ZrO₂

L. Anggraini, R. Yamamoto, H. Fujiwara, K. Ameyama

Journal of Ceramic Science and Technology, Vol. 2, No. 3 (2011), pp. 139-146

DOI: 10.4416/JCST2011-00017

Download full article (PDF)

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.

Keywords

Mechanical milling, spark plasma sintering, SiC-ZrO2, microstructure, mechanical properties

View this issue · Article & DOI index