Multifunctional nanocomposites integrate electromagnetic shielding, thermal, mechanical, and wear resistance properties

The SiCnws/SiC nanocomposites were in situ synthesized by using nickel carbon foam as catalyst and skeleton. This technique has a series of advantages including simple operation, low cost, and high efficiency. Due to the excellent microwave absorption and thermal properties of SiCnws, SiCnws/SiC nanocomposites possess excellent electromagnetic shielding performance with a high SET value of 38.3 dB and good thermal properties with thermal conductivity of 13.77 +/- 0.098 wm(-1)k(-1) at room temperature. Meanwhile, the bending strength of the nanocomposites is 110.9 +/- 7.7 MPa. The friction coefficient of nanocomposites is about 0.26 with a wear speed of about 67 um(3)/s. Therefore, the nanocomposites integrate many advantages including lightweight (2.0 g/cm(3)), excellent electromagnetic shielding, good heat conduction, high strength, and wear resistance.