EFFECT OF CR3C2 ADDITION ON THE SINTERING OF SIC-TIC COMPOSITE

The densification behavior and mechanical properties of SiC-30TiC (in volume percent) composites prepared with Cr3C2 additive were investiga ted, By hot-pressing a SiC-30TiC-1Cr(3)C(2) specimen at 1950 degrees C , 98.5% of theoretical density was achieved and the specimen exhibited a fracture strength of 750 MPa. For the SiC-30TiC-10Cr(3)C(2) specime n, beta-alpha transformation of SiC was observed to occur during hot-p ressing and in situ growth of elongated alpha-SiC grains resulted in a n increase of fracture toughness, Microstructural observations using h igh-resolution TEM indicated that no liquid phase was present at the i nterfaces.