Grooving on SiC Ceramics Surface by Reaction with Solid Metal (Part 2)

Reaction between SiC Ceramics and Ni Foil

Abstract

Chemical reaction between SiC ceramics and Ni or Fe foil has been used for making grooves on the sliding face of SiC ceramics. To accomplish the grooving process, the grooved face of SiC ceramics should be crack free and smooth. The reaction product layer between SiC ceramics and Ni foil was composed of deposited graphite, δ-Ni₂Si and Ni₃Si₂. Generation of cracks in SiC ceramics was not dependent on the product species, but dependent on the size of deposited graphite. Larger graphite grains more deteriorated reaction layers, and generation of cracks in SiC ceramics was prevented. Reaction between SiC ceramics and Fe foil yielded graphite, Fe₅Si₃ and Fe₃Si. Extended reaction vanished Fe₃Si and generated no cracks in SiC ceramics. The thickness of SiC ceramics consumed was calculated from the thickness of Ni or Fe foil and the product species and was shown to coincide with the observed value.