Processing and properties of carbon nanotubes-nano-SiC ceramic

Carbon nanotubes-nano-SiC ceramic has been fabricated by the hot-press meth od. The preparation steps involved the use of dispersing nano-SiC powders a nd carbon nanotubes in butylalcohol using an ultrasonic shaker. The reasona ble relative density of about 95% has been achieved by hot-pressing at 2273 K (at 25 MPa in Ar for 1 h). The three-point bending strength and fracture tough ness of the composite has about 10% increment over monolithic SiC ce ramic which was fabricated under the same process. The reasons for the incr ement are the strengthening and toughening role of carbon nanotubes occurin g in the matrix. (C) 1998 Kluwer Academic Publishers.