Effect of sintering temperature mismatch on the thermal diffusivity of cordierite - AlN composite

The effect of interfacial decohesion, due to mismatch of firing temperature , on the thermal diffusivity of a hot-pressed cordierite matrix with a disp ersed phase of AIN was investigated by the laser flash technique at room te mperature. The interfacial gap formed due to varying degree of sintering ac ts as a barrier to heat flow and lowers the thermal diffusivity. The result ing conductivity is compared with the Rayleigh-Maxwell and Bruggeman model for predicting the thermal conductivity of a composite. The study also inve stigates the processing parameter on the retention of AlN in the composite after hot pressing. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.