Compositional dependence of mechanical and wear properties of electroconductive ceramics

Some experimental works carried out at the Research Institute for Ceramics Technology (IRTEC) and National Physics Laboratory (NPL) on electroconducti ve ceramics are reviewed. The tests were mainly devoted to characterize mec hanical and wear properties of electroconductive particulate composites bas ed on silicon nitride and alumina matrices with reinforcement of nitrides, carbides, and borides. The focus of the study was to ascertain the influenc e of the sintering techniques and the amount and qualify of particle reinfo rcement on the mechanical and wear performances of the composites with resp ect to the matrix. The experimental results indicate that, besides the elec troconductivity, some mechanical properties can be greatly enhanced by the introduction of a specific amount of intermetallic particles Unfortunately, the refractoriness of the starting matrix is at the same time reduced, mak ing the composites more sensitive to the temperature effects.