Processing, microstructure, and properties of carbon nanotube and silicon carbide composites

Carlson, Thomas

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Description

Title

Processing, microstructure, and properties of carbon nanotube and silicon carbide composites

Author(s)

Carlson, Thomas

Issue Date

2013-05-24T21:52:30Z

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Kriven, Waltraud M.

Department of Study

Materials Science & Engineerng

Discipline

Materials Science & Engr

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• silicon carbide
• carbon nanotube
• composite
• ceramic
• processing
• microstructure, properties

Abstract

This thesis describes the spark plasma sintering of silicon carbide and silicon carbide with multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The work was completed to investigate the processing, microstructure, and properties of such materials. Various ceramic engineering techniques aided this investigation including powder processing, sintering, microscopy, spectroscopy, and mechanical testing. These steps were completed in order acquire knowledge about the influences of various parameters on the microstructure and properties of the materials. The resulting insight provided conclusions for how to synthesize a material that may allow carbon nanotubes to positively reinforce a silicon carbide matrix, particularly improving the fracture toughness. In this work, the spark plasma sintering of both silicon carbide and silicon carbide with multi-walled carbon nanotubes did not lead to fully density. The evidence of pores negatively influenced the material properties. The addition of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes required additional processing in attempt to disperse the reinforcement, but ultimately caused low density and did not improve density, strength, or fracture toughness. Alternative methods for dispersing multi-walled carbon nanotubes in a silicon carbide matrix must be developed.

Graduation Semester

2013-05

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/44142

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2013 Thomas Carlson

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