Mechanical and Microwave Dielectric Properties of Csf/Si3N4 Composites

Abstract

Csf/Si3N4 composites were prepared by hot-press sintering method using α-Si3N4 power, short chopping carbon-fiber and sintering additives. XRD analysis showed that the α-Si3N4 was almost completely transferred into β-Si3N4. The SEM micrographs of fractured surfaces showed that special network developed by rod-like β- Si3N4 grains. The flexure strength of 590±10MPa, and fracture toughness of 7.94±0.1MPa·m1/2 were achieved for the samples incorporated with 0.5wt% the carbon fibers .The microwave dielectric property of Csf/Si3N4 composites was measured at a frequency range of 8.2~18GHz by E8362B PNA series network analyzer. The real part (ε ′ ) of the permittivity of the Csf/Si3N4 composites increases from 10 to 58 with the rise of the content of carbon fibers in the composites, as well as the imaginary part increases from 0.03 to 98 at frequency of 9.375GHz. A strong frequency dependence of the real part was observed both in X and Ku bands.