| Abstract Scope |
Silicon carbide-based ceramics are remarkably versatile materials, exhibiting chameleon-like properties that can transition between electrical insulator and conductor, heat-resistant and highly deformable, or thermally conductive and insulating states, depending on their composition and microstructure. This adaptability, achieved through the precise mixing of additives and meticulous microstructure control, positions SiC ceramics as a sophisticated form of ceramic alloy. This presentation will explore various strategies for developing SiC ceramics with tailored properties, focusing on electrically conductive, heat-resistant, tough, and thermally conductive variants. These advancements are realized through careful microstructure manipulation and the judicious selection of sintering additives. The presentation will also introduce two innovative processing strategies: one employing thermodynamic instability principle to achieve microcellular structures, and another demonstrating successful densification of fully ceramic microencapsulated nuclear fuels without applied pressure. Furthermore, practical applications of SiC ceramics in semiconductor processing parts will also be explored. |