Mechanical Properties and Thermal Shock Resistance of SrAl2Si2O8 Reinforced BN Ceramic Composites

doi:10.15541/jim20240091

Abstract

Abstract:

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) ceramics have become exceptional materials for heat-resistant components in hypersonic vehicles, owing to their superior thermal stability and excellent dielectric properties. However, their densification during sintering still poses challenges for researchers, and their mechanical properties are rather unsatisfactory. In this study, SrAl₂Si₂O₈ (SAS), with low melting point and high strength, was introduced into the h-BN ceramics to facilitate the sintering and reinforce the strength and toughness. Then, BN-SAS ceramic composites were fabricated via hot press sintering using h-BN, SrCO₃, Al₂O₃, and SiO₂ as raw materials, and effects of sintering pressure on their microstructure, mechanical property, and thermal property were investigated. The thermal shock resistance of BN-SAS ceramic composites was evaluated. Results show that phases of as-preparedBN-SAS ceramic composites are h-BN and h-SrAl₂Si₂O₈. With the increase of sintering pressure, the composites’ densities increase, and the mechanical properties shew a rising trend followed by a slight decline. At a sintering pressure of 20 MPa, their bending strength and fracture toughness are (138±4) MPa and (1.84±0.05) MPa·m^1/2, respectively. Composites sintered at 10 MPa exhibit a low coefficient of thermal expansion, with an average of 2.96×10^-6 K^-1in the temperature range from 200 to 1200 ℃. The BN-SAS ceramic composites prepared at 20 MPa display higher thermal conductivity from 12.42 to 28.42 W·m^-1·K^-1within the temperature range from room temperature to 1000 ℃. Notably, BN-SAS composites exhibit remarkable thermal shock resistance, with residual bending strength peaking and subsequently declining sharply under a thermal shock temperature difference ranging from 600 to 1400 ℃. The maximum residual bending strength is recorded at a temperature difference of 800 ℃, with a residual strength retention rate of 101%. As the thermal shock temperature difference increase, the degree of oxidation on the ceramic surface and cracks due to thermal stress are also increased gradually.

Key words: BN matrix composite, hot-press sintering, mechanical property, thermal shock resistance, service reliability

CLC Number:

TQ174

WANG Bo, CAI Delong, ZHU Qishuai, LI Daxin, YANG Zhihua, DUAN Xiaoming, LI Yanan, WANG Xuan, JIA Dechang, ZHOU Yu. Mechanical Properties and Thermal Shock Resistance of SrAl₂Si₂O₈ Reinforced BN Ceramic Composites[J]. Journal of Inorganic Materials, 2024, 39(10): 1182-1188.

Figures/Tables 9

Fig. 1 Flow chart for the preparation of BN-SAS ceramic composites by hot-press sintering

Table 1 Density, bending strength and fracture toughness of BN-SAS ceramic composites

Sintering pressure/ MPa	Density/ (g·cm^-3)	Bending strength/ MPa	Fracture toughness/ (MPa·m^1/2)
10	1.90	87±5	1.33±0.04
20	2.25	138±4	1.84±0.05
30	2.33	136±11	1.50±0.24

Fig. 2 XRD patterns of BN-SAS ceramic composites sintered at different pressures

Fig. 3 HRTEM and TEM characterization of BN-SAS ceramic composites sintered at 10 MPa (a) HRTEM image; (b) Inverse FFT image of area A in figure (a); (c) SAED pattern of h-BN; (d) TEM image of BN-SAS ceramic composites; (e-j) Elemental analysis of the figure (d); (e) B; (f) N; (g) O; (h) Sr; (i) Al; (j) Si

Fig. 4 Fracture microstructures of BN-SAS ceramic composites sintered at different pressures (a) 10 MPa; (b) 20 MPa; (c) 30 MPa

Fig. 5 Thermal properties of BN-SAS ceramic composites sintered at different pressures (a) Thermal expansion rate with inset showing the average CTE (α); (b) Thermal conductivity

Table 2 Properties of the BN-SAS ceramic composites

Sintering pressure/MPa	Bending strength/MPa	Fracture toughness/ (MPa·m^1/2)	Young's modulus/GPa	Average CTE/ (×10⁻⁶, K⁻¹)	λ/( W·m^-1·K^-1, 1000 ℃)	R/℃	R^Ⅳ/μm
10	87±5	1.33±0.04	48.47	2.96	14.70	$609(1-\nu )$	$230/(1-\nu )$
20	138±4	1.84±0.05	67.83	3.33	12.42	$613(1-\nu )$	$177/(1-\nu )$
30	136±11	1.50±0.24	66.94	5.04	5.72	$404(1-\nu )$	$122/(1-\nu )$

Fig. 6 Residual bending strength and residual strength rate of BN-SAS composites sintered at 20 MPa as a function of thermal shock temperature difference

Fig. 7 Micrographs of surfaces and fracture edges of BN-SAS ceramic composites sintered at 20 MPa after thermal shock with different temperature differences (a) 600 ℃; (b) 800 ℃; (c) 1000 ℃; (d) 1200 ℃; (e) 1400 ℃; (f) Fracture edge morphology under thermal shock temperature difference of 1400 ℃

References 24

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Mechanical Properties and Thermal Shock Resistance of SrAl₂Si₂O₈ Reinforced BN Ceramic Composites

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