Hot‐Pressing of β‐SiC Powder with Al‐B‐C Additives

Abstract

The sintering behavior of β‐SiC powders with additions of Al, B, and C was studied at 1600° to 1800°C with applied pressures of 20 to 60 MPa. Ceramics with densities of ∼3.08 g/cm 3 were obtained by hot‐pressing at 1650°C and 50 MPa. The bending strength did not degrade up to 1200°C. A large amount of a second phase, which was apparently Al 8 B 4 C 7 , was observed as streaks in the microstructure. It is suggested that a liquid phase, which coexisted with this compound, enhanced densification.