Thermal and electrical properties of dense Cr3C2 sintered body

Several chromiun carbide phases as Cr2C, Cr3C2, Cr7C3, and Cr23C6 were previously reported. Among them, chromium carbide (Cr3C2) ceramics has proved to be a potentially useful material because of its excellent electrocal conductivity high, degree of hardness, moderate melting point, and good chemical stability. The sintering conditions, thermal properties, and electrical properties of Cr3C2 produced by hot pressing were investingated in order to determine the suitability of this material for high-temperature application. The relative density increased with increasing sintering temperature. With a sintering temperature of 1573 K, a sintered body having a relative density of more than 99 % was obtained. The X-ray diffraction analysis showed no crystalline phase other than Cr3C2 in the sintered bodies. The electrical conductivity increased with increasing sintering temperature. The thermal diffusivity and specific heat capacity increased with increasing temperature. The thermal conductivity increased with increasing sintering temperature. The sample showed very good oxidation resistance at 1473 K in an air because the surface layer of chromium oxide formed by oxidation acts as a barrier against further oxidation.