• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.1474-1480
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• 2013

Silicon carbide (SiC)-zirconium diboride ($ZrB_2$) composites were prepared by subjecting a 60:40 vol% mixture of ${\beta}$-SiC powder and $ZrB_2$ matrix to spark plasma sintering (SPS) in 15 $mm{\Phi}$ and 20 $mm{\Phi}$ molds. The 15 $mm{\Phi}$ and 20 $mm{\Phi}$ compacts were sintered for 60 sec at $1500^{\circ}C$ under a uniaxial pressure of 50 MPa and argon atmosphere. Similar composites were simulated using $Flux^{(R)}$ 3D computer simulation software. The current and power densities of the specimen sections of the simulated SiC-$ZrB_2$ composites were higher than those of the mold sections of the 15 $mm{\Phi}$ and 20 $mm{\Phi}$ mold simulated specimens. Toward the centers of the specimen sections, the current densities in the simulated SiC-$ZrB_2$ composites increased. The power density patterns of the specimen sections of the simulated SiC-$ZrB_2$ composites were nearly identical to their current density patterns. The current densities of the 15 $mm{\Phi}$ mold of the simulated SiC-$ZrB_2$ composites were higher than those of the 20 $mm{\Phi}$ mold in the center of the specimen section. The volume electrical resistivity of the simulated SiC-$ZrB_2$ composite was about 7.72 times lower than those of the graphite mold and the punch section. The power density, 1.4604 $GW/m^3$, of the 15 $mm{\Phi}$ mold of the simulated SiC-$ZrB_2$ composite was higher than that of the 20 $mm{\Phi}$ mold, 1.3832 $GW/m^3$. The $ZrB_2$ distributions in the 20 $mm{\Phi}$ mold in the sintered SiC-$ZrB_2$ composites were more uniform than those of the 15 $mm{\Phi}$ mold on the basis of energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) mapping. The volume electrical resistivity of the 20 $mm{\Phi}$ mold of the sintered SiC-$ZrB_2$ composite, $6.17{\times}10^{-4}{\Omega}cm$, was lower than that of the 15 $mm{\Phi}$ mold, $9.37{\times}10^{-4}{\Omega}{\cdot}cm$, at room temperature.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.538-545
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• 2009

The SiC-$ZrB_2$ composites were fabricated by combining 30, 35, 40 and 45vol.% of Zirconium Diboride (hereafter, $ZrB_2$) powders with Silicon Carbide (hereafter, SiC) matrix. The SiC-$ZrB_2$ composites, the sintered compacts, were produced through Spark Plasma Sintering (hereafter, SPS), and its physical, electrical, and mechanical properties were examined. Also, the thermal image analysis of the SiC-$ZrB_2$ composites was examined. Reactions between $\beta$-SiC and $ZrB_2$ were not observed via X-Ray Diffractometer (hereafter, XRD) analysis. The relative density of the SiC+30vol.%$ZrB_2$, SiC+35vol.%$ZrB_2$, SiC+40vol.%$ZrB_2$, and SiC+45vol.%$ZrB_2$ composites were 88.64%, 76.80%, 79.09% and 88.12%, respectively. The XRD phase analysis of the sintered compacts demonstrated high phase of SiC and $ZrB_2$ but low phase of $ZrO_2$. Among the SiC-$ZrB_2$ composites, the SiC+35vol.%$ZrB_2$ composite had the lowest flexural strength, 148.49MPa, and the SiC+40vol.%$ZrB_2$ composite had the highest flexural strength, 204.85MPa, at room temperature. The electrical resistivities of the SiC+30vol.%$ZrB_2$, SiC+35vol.%$ZrB_2$, SiC+40vol.%$ZrB_2$ and SiC+45vol.%$ZrB_2$ composites were $6.74\times10^{-4}$, $4.56\times10^{-3}$, $1.92\times10^{-3}$, and $4.95\times10^{-3}\Omega{\cdot}cm$ at room temperature, respectively. The electrical resistivities of the SiC+30vol.%$ZrB_2$, SiC+35vol.%$ZrB_2$ SiC+40vol.%$ZrB_2$ and SiC+45[vol.%]$ZrB_2$ composites had Positive Temperature Coefficient Resistance (hereafter, PTCR) in the temperature range from $25^{\circ}C$ to $500^{\circ}C$. The V-I characteristics of the SiC+40vol.%$ZrB_2$ composite had a linear shape. Therefore, it is considered that the SiC+40vol.%$ZrB_2$ composite containing the most outstanding mechanical properties, high resistance temperature coefficient and PTCR characteristics among the sintered compacts can be used as an energy friendly ceramic heater or electrode material through SPS.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.56 no.9
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• pp.1602-1608
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• 2007

The composites were fabricated, respectively, using 61[vol.%] SiC-39[vol.%] $TiB_2$ and using 61[vol.%] SiC-39[vol.%] $ZrB_2$ powders with the liquid forming additives of 12[wt%] $Al_2O_3+Y_2O_3$ by hot pressing annealing at $1650[^{\circ}C]$ for 4 hours. Reactions between SiC and transition metal $TiB_2$, $ZrB_2$ were not observed in this microstructure. The result of phase analysis of composites by XRD revealed SiC(6H, 3C), $TiB_2$, $ZrB_2$ and $YAG(Al_5Y_3O_{12})$ crystal phase on the Liquid-Phase-Sintered(LPS) $SiC-TiB_2$, and $SiC-ZrB_2$ composite. $\beta\rightarrow\alpha-SiC$ phase transformation was occurred on the $SiC-TiB_2$ and $SiC-ZrB_2$ composite. The relative density, the flexural strength and Young's modulus showed the highest value of 98.57[%], 249.42[MPa] and 91.64[GPa] in $SiC-ZrB_2$ composite at room temperature respectively. The electrical resistivity showed the lowest value of $7.96{\times}10^{-4}[\Omega{\cdot}cm]$ for $SiC-ZrB_2$ composite at $25[^{\circ}C]$. The electrical resistivity of the $SiC-TiB_2$ and $SiC-ZrB_2$ composite was all positive temperature coefficient resistance (PTCR) in the temperature ranges from $25[^{\circ}C]$ to $700[^{\circ}C]$. The resistance temperature coefficient of composite showed the lowest value of $1.319\times10^{-3}/[^{\circ}C]$ for $SiC-ZrB_2$ composite in the temperature ranges from $100[^{\circ}C]$ to $300[^{\circ}C]$ Compositional design and optimization of processing parameters are key factors for controlling and improving the properties of SiC-based electroconductive ceramic composites.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.379-384
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• 2012

This paper reports the microstructures and thermal conductivities of $ZrB_2$-SiC composite ceramics with size and amount of SiC. We fabricated sintered bodies of $ZrB_2$-x vol.% SiC (x=10, 20, 30) with submicron and nanosized SiC densified by spark plasma sintering. Microstructure retained the initial powder size of especially SiC, except the agglomeration of nanosized SiC. For sintered bodies, thermal conductivities were examined. The observed thermal conductivity values are 40~60 W/mK, which is slightly lower than the reported values. The relation between microstructural parameter and thermal conductivity was also discussed.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.562-567
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• 2011

This paper reports the effect of sintering processes and additives on the microstructures and mechanical properties of $ZrB_2$-SiC composite ceramics. We fabricated sintered bodies of $ZrB_2$-20 vol.% SiC with or without sintering additive, such as C or $B_4C$, densified by spark plasma sintering as well as hot pressing. While almost full densification was achieved regardless of sintering processes or sintering additives, significant grain growth was observed in the case of spark plasma sintering, especially with $B_4C$. With sintered bodies, mechanical properties, such as flexural strength and Vickers hardness, were also examined.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.342-351
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• 2010

The SiC-$ZrB_2$ composites were fabricated by combining 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 vol. % of zirconium diboride ($ZrB_2$) powders with silicon carbide (SiC) matrix. The SiC-$ZrB_2$ composites and the sintered compacts were produced through spark plasma sintering (SPS) under argon atmosphere, and its physical, electrical, and mechanical properties were examined. Also, the thermal image analysis of the SiC-$ZrB_2$ composites was examined. Reactions between $\beta$-SiC and $ZrB_2$ were not observed via x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The apparent porosity of the SiC+30vol.%$ZrB_2$, SiC+35vol.%$ZrB_2$, SiC+40vol.%$ZrB_2$, SiC+45vol.%$ZrB_2$ and SiC+50vol.%$ZrB_2$ composites were 7.2546, 0.8920, 0.6038, 1.0981, and 10.0108%, respectively. The XRD phase analysis of the sintered compacts demonstrated a high phase of SiC and $ZrB_2$. Among the $SiC+ZrB_2$ composites, the SiC+50vol.%$ZrB_2$ composite had the lowest flexural strength, 290.54MPa, the other composites had more than 980MPa flexural strength except the SiC+30vol.%$ZrB_2$ composite; the SiC+40vol.%$ZrB_2$ composite had the highest flexural strength, 1011.34MPa, at room temperature. The electrical properties of the SiC-$ZrB_2$ composites had positive temperature coefficient resistance (PTCR). The V-I characteristics of the SiC-$ZrB_2$ composites had a linear shape in the temperature range from room to $500^{\circ}C$. The electrical resistivities of the SiC+30vol.%$ZrB_2$, SiC+35vol.%$ZrB_2$, SiC+40vol.%$ZrB_2$ SiC+45vol.%$ZrB_2$ and SiC+50vol.%$ZrB_2$ composites were $4.573\times10^{-3}$, $1.554\times10^{-3}$, $9.365\times10^{-4}$, $6.999\times10^{-4}$, and $6.069\times10^{-4}\Omega{\cdot}cm$, respectively, at room temperature, and their resistance temperature coefficients were $1.896\times10^{-3}$, $3.064\times10^{-3}$, $3.169\times10^{-3}$, $3.097\times10^{-3}$, and $3.418\times10^{-3}/^{\circ}C$ in the temperature range from room to $500^{\circ}C$, respectively. Therefore, it is considered that among the sintered compacts the SiC+35vol.%$ZrB_2$, SiC+40vol.%$ZrB_2$ and SiC+45vol.%$ZrB_2$ composites containing the most outstanding mechanical properties as well as PTCR and V-I characteristics can be used as an energy friendly ceramic heater or ohmic-contact electrode material through SPS.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers C
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• v.55 no.11
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• pp.505-513
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• 2006

The present study investigated the influence of the content of $Al_2O_3+Y_2O_3$ sintering additives on the microstructure, mechanical and electrical properties of the pressureless-sintered $SiC-ZrB_2$ electroconductive ceramic composites. Phase analysis of composites by XRD revealed mostly of ${\alpha}-SiC(4H),\;ZrB_2,\;{\beta}-SiC(15R)$ and In Situ $YAG(Al_5Y_3O_{12})$. The relative density and the flexural strength showed the highest value of 86.8[%] and 203[Mpa] for $SiC-ZrB_2$ composite with an addition of 8[wt%] $Al_2O_3+Y_2O_3$ as a sintering aid at room temperature respectively. Owing to crack deflection and crack bridging of fracture toughness mechanism, the fracture toughness showed 3.7 and $3.6[MPa{\cdot}m^{1/2}]\;for\;SiC-ZrB_2$ composites with an addition of 8 and 12[wt%] $Al_2O_3+Y_2O_3$ as a sintering aid at room temperature respectively. Abnormal grain growth takes place during phase transformation from ${\beta}-SiC\;into\;{\alpha}-SiC$ was correlated with In Situ YAG phase by reaction between $Al_2O_3\;and\;Y_2O_3$ additives during sintering. The electrical resistivity showed the lowest value of $6.5{\times}10^{-3}[({\Omega}{\cdot}cm]$ for the $SiC-ZrB_2$ composite with an addition of 8[wt%] $Al_2O_3+Y_2O_3$ as a sintering aid at room temperature. The electrical resistivity of the $SiC-ZrB_2$ composites was all positive temperature coefficient(PTCR) in the temperature ranges from $25[^{\circ}C]\;to\;700[^{\circ}C]$. The resistance temperature coefficient showed the highest value of $3.53{\times}10^{-3}/[^{\circ}C]\;for\;SiC-ZrB_2$ composite with an addition of 8[wt%] $Al_2O_3+Y_2O_3$ as a sintering aid in the temperature ranges from $25[^{\circ}C]\;to\;700[^{\circ}C]$. In this paper, it is convinced that ${\beta}-SiC$ based electroconductive ceramic composites for heaters or ignitors can be manufactured by pressureless sintering.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.57 no.11
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• pp.2015-2022
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• 2008

The effect of content of $Al_2O_3+Y_2O_3$ sintering additives on the densification behavior, mechanical and electrical properties of the pressureless-sintered $SiC-ZrB_2$ electroconductive ceramic composites was investigated. The $SiC-ZrB_2$ electroconductive ceramic composites were pressurless-sintered for 2 hours at 1,700[$^{\circ}C$] temperatures with an addition of $Al_2O_3+Y_2O_3$(6 : 4 mixture of $Al_2O_3$ and $Y_2O_3$) as a sintering aid in the range of $8\;{\sim}\;20$[wt%]. Phase analysis of $SiC-ZrB_2$ composites by XRD revealed mostly of $\alpha$-SiC(6H), $ZrB_2$ and In Situ YAG($Al_5Y_3O_{12}$). The relative density, flexural strength, Young's modulus and vicker's hardness showed the highest value of 89.02[%], 81.58[MPa], 31.44[GPa] and 1.34[GPa] for $SiC-ZrB_2$ composites added with 16[wt%] $Al_2O_3+Y_2O_3$ additives at room temperature respectively. Abnormal grain growth takes place during phase transformation from $\beta$-SiC into $\alpha$-SiC was correlated with In Situ YAG phase by reaction between $Al_2O_3$ and $Y_2O_3$ additive during sintering. The electrical resistivity showed the lowest value of $3.l4{\times}10^{-2}{\Omega}{\cdot}cm$ for $SiC-ZrB_2$ composite added with 16[wt%] $Al_2O_3+Y_2O_3$ additives at 700[$^{\circ}C$]. The electrical resistivity of the $SiC-TiB_2$ and $SiC-ZrB_2$ composite was all negative temperature coefficient resistance (NTCR) in the temperature ranges from room temperature to 700[$^{\circ}C$]. Compositional design and optimization of processing parameters are key factors for controlling and improving the properties of SiC-based electroconductive ceramic composites.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 1998.11c
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• pp.847-849
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• 1998

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 $700^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.440-445
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• 2018

To control the electrical properties of a SiC heating element, we sintered $SiC-ZrB_2$composites by using the spark plasma sintering method. The addition of $ZrB_2$ particles with lower electrical conductivity to the SiC matrices with comparatively higher electrical resistivity lowers the electrical resistivities of the composite material. The $ZrB_2$ particles aggregate to form large particles and 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 networks, i.e., conduction paths. In our study, about $1-{\mu}m$-sized $ZrB_2$ powders start to form the conduction path at about 10 vol.% of addition, namely the threshold volume. The Joule heating experiment shows that 20 vol.% $ZrB_2$-added SiC heating element has outstanding heating efficiency.