Properties of Electro-Conductive $SiC-ZrB_2$ Composites

전도성(電導性) $SiC-ZrB_2$ 복합체(複合體)의 특성(特性)

Dense $SiC-ZrB_2$ electro-conductive ceramic composites were obtained by hot pressing for high temperature structural application. The influences of the $ZrB_2$ additions an the mechanical and electrical properties of $SiC-ZrB_2$ composites were investigated. Samples were prepared by adding 15, 30, 45 vol.% $ZrB_2$ particles as a second phase to a SiC matrix. Sintering of monolithic SiC and $SiC-ZrB_2$ composites were achieved by hot pressing under a $10^{-4}$ torr vacuum atmosphere from 1000 to $2000^{\circ}C$ with a pressure of 30 MPa and held for 60 minutes at $2000^{\circ}C$. SiC and $SiC-ZrB_2$ samples obtained by hot pressing were fully dense with the relative densities over 99%. Flexural strength and fracture toughness of the samples were improved with the $ZrB_2$ contents. In the case of SiC sample containing 30vol.% $ZrB_2$, the flexural strength and fracture toughness showed 45% and 60% increase, respectively compared to those of monolithic SiC sample. The electrical resistivities of $SiC-ZrB_2$ composites were measured utilizing the four-point probe method and they decreased significantly with Increasing $ZrB_2$ contents. The resistivity of SiC-30vol.% $ZrB_2$ showed $6.50{\times}10^{-4}{\Omega}{\cdot}cm$.