Study of Whiskers to be Used in Composite Materials

Abstract

Rapid expansion of technologies poses higher requirements to structural materials and items made of them. Conventional materials are being replaced by composite materials (composites). Different additives enhancing the properties of initial materials are used as reinforcement fibers of composites. Utilization of micro-and nanosize particles for production of present-day materials is paid much attention to. Whiskers are among such materials. These crystals have high strength, high chemical and temperature resistance. But for rational utilization of whickers of different chemical composition in composite materials one should know their physical and chemical properties. Objectives of the paper: to study physical and chemical properties of whiskers in different compounds, their composition and structure; to prove experimentally the feasibility of utilizing whiskers as a reinforcement fiber of composite materials. Object of study: specimens of whiskers of silicon nitride (Si3N4), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), aluminum nitride (AlN), and mullite (Al6Si2O13). Methods of investigation: thermal study of specimens, study of mechanical properties and chemical strength, and IR-spectroscopy. Results of study: specimens of whiskers have been studied and their mechanical properties have been tabulated for comparison. Extensive thermal investigation was followed by deduction of regularities and identification of chemical properties of whiskers. IR-spectra of whiskers have been studied and conclusions on molecular composition and on presence of impurities in some whiskers have been made.