Influence of Graphene and Graphene Oxide on Properties of Spark Plasma Sintered Si₃N₄ Ceramic Matrix

Abstract

The sintering of ceramic matrix composites is usually carried out by raising the sintering temperature below the melting point of components. Spark plasma sintering (SPS) has the capability to densify ceramics at a relatively low temperature in a very short time. Two different additions, multilayered graphene (MLG) and graphene oxide (GrO), were added to Si3N4 ceramic matrix in various amount; 5 wt% and 30 wt%. The influence of reinforcing phase on final properties of spark plasma sintered Si3N4 composite was studied. The uniaxial-pressure-assisted SPS sintering resulted in a preferential alignment of both type of graphene in the Si3N4 ceramic matrix, leading to highly anisotropic properties with lower mechanical behavior but better tribological and electrical properties.

Keywords

• multilayered graphene
• graphene oxide
• sps
• si₃n₄
• ceramic composite