Microstructure and mechanical properties of silicon carbide ceramics reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes

A microstructure, a composition and mechanical properties of multi-walled carbon of nanotube-reinforced silicon carbide ceramics were examined. The amount of carbon nanotubes was up to 1% wt. Samples was prepared by spark plasma sintering. It has been found that the optimal sintering temperature is 2000oC with an exposure duration of 5 minutes and a pressure of 50 MPa. The effect of the CNT mass fraction on the Young modulus of silicon carbide ceramics composites was investigated for different temperatures and processing conditions of samples using ultrasonic techniques. It has been established that Young's modulus of ceramics decreases due to addition of CNT. Elastic properties of the composites cross section were characterized using nano-indentation. It has been revealed that the stiffness of the ceramics intergranular phase decreases due to addition of CNT.