title: Sintering and microstructure of silicon carbide ceramic with Y3Al5O12 added by sol-gel method.
abstract: Silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic with YAG (Y3Al5O12) additive added by sol-gel method was liquid-phase sintered at different sintering temperatures, and the sintering mechanism and microstructural characteristics of resulting silicon carbide ceramics were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and elemental distribution of surface (EDS). YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) phase formed before the sintering and its uniform distribution in the SiC/YAG composite powder decreased the sintering temperature and improved the densification of SiC ceramic. The suitable sintering temperature was 1860 degrees C with the specimen sintered at this temperature having superior sintering and mechanical properties, smaller crystal size and fewer microstructure defects. Three characteristics of improved toughness of SiC ceramic with YAG added by sol-gel method were microstructural densification, main-crack deflection and crystal 'bridging'.
authors.affiliation: Center of Nano-Science & Nano-Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China. gxzh_zju@163.com
authors.forename: Xing-Zhong
authors.initials: XZ
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D017554:Carbon Compounds, Inorganic / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D002516:Ceramics / Q000737:chemistry*; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D044367:Phase Transition; D017655:Silicon Compounds / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D015019:Yttrium / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D017554:Carbon Compounds, Inorganic; D005782:Gels; D017655:Silicon Compounds; D015019:Yttrium; D000537:Aluminum Oxide; C022088:silicon carbide