Abstract
The mechanical and electrical properties of the hot-pressed and annealed $\beta$-SiC+39vol. %ZrB2 electroconductive ceramic composites were investigated by adding 1, 2, 3wt% Al2O3+Y2O3(6:4wt%) of the liquid forming additives. In this microstructures, no reactions were observed between $\beta-SiC$ and ZrB2. The relative density is over 90.8% of the theoretical density and the porosity decreased with increasing Al2O3+Y2O3 contents. Phase analysis of the composites by XRD revealed $\alpha-SiC(6H, 4H)$, ZrB2 and $\beta-SiC$(15R). Flexural srength showed the highest of 315.5MPa for composites added with 3wt% Al2O3+Y2O3 additives as room temperature. Owing to crack deflection and crack bridging of fracture toughness mechanism, the fracture toughness showed 5.5MPa.m1/2 and 5.3MPa.m1/2 for composites added with 2wt% and 3wt% Al2O3+Y2O3 additives respectively at room temperature. The area fraction of the elongated SiC grain in the etched surface of sample showed 65% and 65.1% for composite added with 2wt% and 3wt% Al2O3+Y2O3 additives respectively. The electrical resistivity at room temperature. The electrical resistivity of the composites wall all positive temperature coefficient(PTCR) against temperature up to $700^{\circ}C$.
