MICROSTRUCTURE AND SINTERING MECHANISM OF SiC CERAMICS REINFORCED WITH NANOSIZED ZrO2

Silicon carbide-based (SiC) ceramics has attracted quite broad attention due to their excellent mechanical, chemical and thermal properties. However, their widespread industrial application is hindered by difficulties in sintering and poor fracture toughness of sintered bodies. In this work, we present an alternative way to produce SiC-based ceramics with improved microstructure and mechanical properties. We incorporated ZrO 2 nanofibres into the ceramic matrix to achieve a combined reinforcing effect of partially stabilized zirconia, namely fibre and phase transformation strengthening. For comparison, we also prepared silicon carbide ceramics containing yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) particles. SiC-based green bodies containing 5 wt%, 10 wt% and 15 wt% ZrO 2 nanofibres and particles, respectively, were subjected to spark plasma sintering (SPS) at relatively low (1700°C) temperatures with high heating and cooling rates. The effects of nanofibres on mechanical properties were studied by determining the Vickers hardness and Young’s modulus of sintered ceramics from instrumented indentation tests. The microstructural patterns were investigated, as well.