Liquid Phase Sintering of SiC-Ceramics

Abstract

In view of considerable attention in the development of liquid phase sintered SiC, a comprehensive study of the data on processing, structure and properties seems highly relevant. This article provides a detailed and critical overview of liquid phase sintered silicon carbide ceramics with primary emphasis of grain-boundary/secondary phase evolution, their structure, distribution on the final properties of the sintered materials. The roles of individual additives in developing boundary microstructures will be identified and demonstrated to be critical in optimizing the mechanical properties, including fracture toughness, flexural strength and creep resistance. Numerous methods of structure-properties modification, like in-situ-toughening, -SiC phase transformation, volume of liquid phase, partial/full crystallization of grain-boundary and/or secondary phases are conclusively discussed. Apart from conventional pressureless sintering of SiC, enhanced spark plasma sintering with different oxide and non-oxide sintering additives are also discussed in terms of phase evolution, microstructure and their structure mechanical properties are correlated.