| Abstract Scope |
We herein propose a novel technique of fabricating highly deformable SiC composites. The deformability of brittle SiC ceramics can be improved by reinforcing it with a second phase with low brittle to ductile transition temperature (BDTT), such as TiC (BDTT- 800 °C).
Fine-grained monolithic SiC and SiC-20 vol% TiC composite were prepared by hot pressing via a two-step liquid phase sintering technique. The hot-pressed SiC-20 vol% TiC composite exhibited two times higher strain than the monolithic SiC after hot forging at 1900 °C. High deformation resulted in improved density, mechanical and thermal properties for the SiC-20 vol% TiC composite. The flexural strength, fracture toughness, and thermal conductivity of the hot-pressed SiC-20 vol% TiC composite were 608 MPa, 5.1 MPa·m1/2, and 34.6 Wm-1K-1, respectively which increased to 777 MPa, 7.8 MPa·m1/2, and 74.7 Wm-1K-1, respectively after hot forging. The hot-forged composite exhibited anisotropic properties attributed to the anisotropy in the microstructure. |