Microstructure and mechanical properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes containing Al2O3–C refractories with addition of polycarbosilane

Abstract Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are a promising reinforcement for fabricating Al2O3–C refractories. However, CNTs are prone to agglomerate or react with antioxidants or reactive gaseous phases such as Al (g), Si (g) and SiO (g), etc. at high temperatures. To overcome the problems above, polycarbosilane (PCS) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were firstly mixed with micro-alumina powder in a liquid medium and then incorporated into Al2O3–C refractories. Then the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al2O3–C refractories fired in the temperature range from 800 °C to 1400 °C were investigated in this work. The results showed that the MWCNTs were well dispersed in the specimens with addition of PCS in contrast to the specimens without PCS due to the PCS adsorption on the surface of MWCNTs during the mixing process. And the mechanical properties, such as cold modulus of rupture (CMOR), flexural modulus (FM), forces and displacements of Al2O3–C refractories with PCS were much higher than those without PCS, which was attributed to more homogeneous dispersion of MWCNTs, more residual MWCNTs as well as different morphologies of ceramic whiskers. Meanwhile, the oxidation resistance of Al2O3–C refractories with PCS was improved greatly, which was supposed that the in situ formed SiCxOy coating prevented the oxidation of MWCNTs to some extent.