• The Korean Journal of Ceramics
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.231-237
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• 1996

Mullite ceramics can be sintered by rf plasma sintering to densities as high as 97% compared to the theoretical density of the mullite, while SiC whisker-reinforced mullite matrix ceramic composites were not sintered by plasma sintering. Decomposition of mullite occurs in a superficial regins at the outside surface of the specimen by volatilization of SiO at elevated temperature by plasma. SiC whiskers were destroyed, and the matrix was converted to alumina from SiC-whisker reinforced mullite matrix ceramic composites during the plasma sintering. Accelerated volatilization from the SiC whisker in the mullite prevents sintering. The volatile species are mainly SiC and CO gas species. The effects of plasma on mullite and SiC-whisker reinforced mullite matrix composites are interpreted by thermodynamic simulation of the volatile species in the plasma environment. The thermodynamic results show that the decomposition will not occur during hot pressing.