Silicon nitride based nanocomposites produced by two different sintering methods

Abstract This research explores the use of a variety of carbon nanostructures as reinforcing agents for Si3N4 matrix composites. We have chosen highly promising families of carbon materials: multiwall, singlewall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs, SWCNTs), graphene, carbon black nanograins and graphite micrograins for use as fillers. These materials were dispersed with a concentration of 3 wt% in silicon nitride matrices. A high efficiency attritor mill has also been used for effective dispersion of second phases in the matrix. In the present work the development of sintering processes (hot isostatic pressing (HIP) and spark plasma sintering (SPS)) has been performed to consolidate and tailor the microstructure of Carbon nanotube (CNT)-reinforced silicon nitride-based ceramic composites. The silicon nitride nanocomposite systems retained the mechanical robustness of the original systems. Elastic modulus measurements and micro-indentation investigations of the hardness and fracture toughness have been performed as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction in order to characterize the composites produced by the two sintering methods.