Elongation of a-SiC Particles in Spark Plasma Sintered α-SiAlON/α-SiC Composites

摘要

α-SiAlON/α-SiC composites with 0-40 wt% α-SiC were synthesized by spark plasma sintering for 5 min at 1800℃ under 20 MPa pressure. A self-reinforcing microstructure with both elongated α-SiAlON and α-SiC grains, was formed. Flexural strength and fracture toughness were significantly improved due to the in situ reinforcement. High fracture toughness up to 8.2 MPa-m~(1/2) was obtained in the 40 wt% SiC composition.