The Development of an Electroconductive SiC-ZrB₂ Ceramic Heater through Spark Plasma Sintering

The SiC-$ZrB_2$ composites were fabricated by combining 30, 35, 40 and 45vol.% of Zirconium Diboride (hereafter, $ZrB_2$) powders with Silicon Carbide (hereafter, SiC) matrix. The SiC-$ZrB_2$ composites, the sintered compacts, were produced through Spark Plasma Sintering (hereafter, SPS), and its physical, electrical, and mechanical properties were examined. Also, the thermal image analysis of the SiC-$ZrB_2$ composites was examined. Reactions between $\beta$-SiC and $ZrB_2$ were not observed via X-Ray Diffractometer (hereafter, XRD) analysis. The relative density of the SiC+30vol.%$ZrB_2$, SiC+35vol.%$ZrB_2$, SiC+40vol.%$ZrB_2$, and SiC+45vol.%$ZrB_2$ composites were 88.64%, 76.80%, 79.09% and 88.12%, respectively. The XRD phase analysis of the sintered compacts demonstrated high phase of SiC and $ZrB_2$ but low phase of $ZrO_2$. Among the SiC-$ZrB_2$ composites, the SiC+35vol.%$ZrB_2$ composite had the lowest flexural strength, 148.49MPa, and the SiC+40vol.%$ZrB_2$ composite had the highest flexural strength, 204.85MPa, at room temperature. The electrical resistivities of the SiC+30vol.%$ZrB_2$, SiC+35vol.%$ZrB_2$, SiC+40vol.%$ZrB_2$ and SiC+45vol.%$ZrB_2$ composites were $6.74\times10^{-4}$, $4.56\times10^{-3}$, $1.92\times10^{-3}$, and $4.95\times10^{-3}\Omega{\cdot}cm$ at room temperature, respectively. The electrical resistivities of the SiC+30vol.%$ZrB_2$, SiC+35vol.%$ZrB_2$ SiC+40vol.%$ZrB_2$ and SiC+45[vol.%]$ZrB_2$ composites had Positive Temperature Coefficient Resistance (hereafter, PTCR) in the temperature range from $25^{\circ}C$ to $500^{\circ}C$. The V-I characteristics of the SiC+40vol.%$ZrB_2$ composite had a linear shape. Therefore, it is considered that the SiC+40vol.%$ZrB_2$ composite containing the most outstanding mechanical properties, high resistance temperature coefficient and PTCR characteristics among the sintered compacts can be used as an energy friendly ceramic heater or electrode material through SPS.