Effect of Porosity on the Fracture Toughness and Electrical Conductivity of Pressureless Sintered ${\beta}-SiC-ZrB_2$ Composites

무가압소결(無加壓燒結)한 ${\beta}-SiC-ZrB_2$ 복합체(複合體)의 파괴인성(破壞忍性)과 전기전도성(電氣傳導性)에 미치는 기공(氣孔)의 영향

The effect of $Al_{2}O_{3}$ additives on the microstructure, mechanical and electrical properties of ${\beta}$-SiC+39vol.%$ZrB_2$ electroconductive ceramic composites by pressureless sintering were investigated. The ${\beta}$-SiC+39vol.%$ZrB_2$ ceramic composites were pressureless sintered by adding 4, 8, 12wt.% $Al_{2}O_{3}$ powder as a liquid forming additives at $1950^{\circ}C$ for 1h. Phase analysis of composites by XRD revealed mostly of $\alpha$-SiC(6H), $ZrB_2$ and weakly $\alpha$-SiC(4H), $\beta$-SiC(15R) phase. The relative density of composites was lowered by gaseous products of the result of reaction between $\beta$-SiC and $Al_{2}O_{3}$ therefore, porosity was increased with increased $Al_{2}O_{3}$ contents. The fracture toughness of composites was decreased with increased $Al_{2}O_{3}$ contents, and showed the maximum value of $1.4197MPa{\cdot}m^{1/2}$ for composite added with 4wt.% $Al_{2}O_{3}$ additives. The electrical resistivity of ${\beta}$-SiC+39vol.%$ZrB_2$ electroconductive ceramic composite was increased with increased $Al_{2}O_{3}$ contents, and showed positive temperature coefficient resistance (PTCR) in the temperature from $25^{\circ}C$ to $700^{\circ}C$.