| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
MS&T21: Materials Science & Technology
|
| Symposium
|
Processing and Performance of Materials Using Microwaves, Electric and Magnetic Fields, Ultrasound, Lasers, and Mechanical Work: The Rustum Roy Symposium
|
| Presentation Title |
Assessment of Homogeneity in Percolated Composite Samples |
| Author(s) |
Miriam Rath, Rosario A. Gerhardt |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Rosario A. Gerhardt |
| Abstract Scope |
Ceramic composite materials such as SiCw-Al2O3 are used in a wide range of applications ranging from mechanical wear to microwave heating. The electrical properties of these materials have been previously studied as a function of SiCw content and orientation of the whisker long axis with respect to the hot pressing direction. In this study, we have evaluated the variability in electrical response of SiCw-Al2O3 composites at a fixed SiCw content beyond the percolation threshold. Our results indicate that for spark plasma sintered (SPS) materials, the electrical response of the same composition mix can be affected by sample thickness and diameter while using the same SPS conditions. This provides proof that the heterogeneous distribution of the SiCw is more complex than previously anticipated and that electrical measurements may be used as a way to non-destructively assess their microstructural condition. Error analysis to demonstrate the extent of the variability will be presented. |