Research progress in nitrogen-doped electrically conductive silicon carbide ceramics

Abstract

The electrically conductive silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics that can be machined by electrical discharge machining, can not only overcome the highlight shortcomings of traditional high resistivity-grade SiC ceramics in machinability, but also maintain its other excellent properties. It has outstanding advantages to replace traditional high resistivity-grade SiC ceramics in the field of structural ceramics. In this paper, the nitrogen doping principle of electrically conductive SiC ceramics was illustrated, and then the powder sintering methods, sintering additives, thermoelectric and mechanical properties were summarized. Meanwhile, in order to provide guidance for the control of electrical properties, the electrical properties-related factors were discussed. In the end, the main challenges of nitrogen-doped electrically conductive SiC ceramics were pointed out, and the future interests were suggested to focus on the development of new sintering technology and additive, as well as clarifying the control mechanism of electrical properties, thereby establishing the technical foundation for fabrication of high-performance conductive SiC ceramics with controllable electrical resistivity.

Keywords

• silicon carbide
• electrically conductive ceramics
• nitrogen doping
• electrical property
• mechanical property