Silicon nitride/carbon nanotube composites: preparation and characterization

This paper investigates the preparation of silicon nitride composites with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Samples containing 1–10 wt% MWCNTs were ultrasonically processed in non-aqueous suspensions, dried, pressed, and then subjected to non-pressure sintering at 1600 °C for 2 h. The preliminary results showed that the mixture of activated silicon nitride and covered MWCNTs could be sintered. The porosity of the obtained samples ranged from 0.27 to 36.94 vol.%. The microstructure was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the mechanical properties (hardness and fracture toughness) were also determined. Good hardness values were obtained for samples prepared by sintering the mechanically activated precursor under a flowing nitrogen atmosphere using the lowest fraction of CNTs. Residual activator reduced the densification of the composites.