Preparation and properties of silicon carbide ceramics enhanced by TiN nanoparticles and SiC whiskers

SiC-based ceramics reinforced with SiC whiskers or/and TiN nanoparticles were produced by pressureless sintering. The introduction of SiC whiskers and TiN nanoparticles improved the densification and mechanical properties of the SiC-based ceramics. The relative densities of the SiC-based ceramics increased from 95.8% to 98.1%. Vickers’ microhardness was improved from 18.19 to 26.65 GPa for SiC/TiN. The highest of fracture toughness value achieved, 8.69 MPa m1/2, was for a SiC/TiN composite, while the value of flexural strength ranged from 416 to 1122.81 MPa.