Preparation and properties of multi-wall carbon nanotube/SiC composites by aqueous tape casting

MWCNTS/SiC composites were fabricated by aqueous tape casting. High solid content (50 vol%) SiC slurries with sintering additives and multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as reinforcements were prepared using Tetramethylammonium hydroxide as the dispersant. The stability of MWCNTs/SiC slurries was studied and characterized in terms of zeta potential and rheology measurements. The relative density of the composite was about 98% after hot-pressing at 1850°C (at 25 MPa in Ar for 30 min). The hardness of the composites decreased with the increase in MWCNTs content. The flexural strength and the fracture toughness were 742.17 MPa and 4.63 MPa·m1/2, respectively when the MWCNTs content was 0.25 wt%. Further increase in MWCNTs content to 0.50 wt% did not lead to the increase in mechanical properties. Most of MWCNTs were found to be located at SiC grain boundaries and the pull out of the MWCNTs was observed.