ELECTROPHORETIC DEPOSITION OF AL2O3-SIC COMPOSITE

A ceramic composite with Al2O3 particles/SiC whiskers has been prepare d by electrophoretic deposition in an isopropanol suspension. In the a bsence of a small amount of nitric acid (0.06-0.32 M), no deposition i s observed. The amount of deposition increases with increasing applied voltage and solid loading, but decreases significantly with the amoun t of water present. The latter result is attributed to the fact that t he colloidal stability of the suspension is degraded by water. Microst ructural and compositional analyses show that the SiC whiskers are uni formly distributed in the green compact when the colloidally stable su spension is used during electrophoretic forming.