Sinterability of Hot-Pressed Silicon Carbide using Alumina and Titania as Sintering Additives

Abstract

Alumina and titania were used as sintering additives for silicon carbide, and sinterability of hot-pressed silicon carbide with alumina and titania was investigated. Bulk density of hot-pressed silicon carbide ceramics with 5 wt% and 10 wt% Al₂O₃-TiO₂ additives at 1800^oC was 2.62 g/cm³ and 2.73 g/cm³, respectively. In the case of silicon carbide ceramics hot-pressed at 1900^oC, they were so dense and their bulk densities were 3.10 g/cm³ and 3.17 g/cm³, respectively. XRD pattern of silicon carbide ceramics hot-pressed at 1900^oC indicated that they mainly consisted of β-silicon carbide and contained titanium carbide derived from sintering additives.