EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT REINFORCING PHASE IN CORDIERITE MATRIX COMPOSITES

Abstract

This paper proposes a comparison between the effects of reinforcing cordierite matrix with three different types of reinforcing materials: ZrO2 , TiC and SiC. All samples were made following the same processing steps. The technological process adopted was intended to be easily repeated on an industrial scale and therefore we tried to use methods and quipments that are easily accessible. The volume fraction of the reinforcing phase was set at 15% for all three types of composites. Shaping the samples was done by uniaxial pressing at 40MPa. Sintering was performed for one hour at 1375°C in air - for ZrO2 addition, and in vacuum – for the reinforcement with TiC and SiC. Current work focuses on the effects on porosity and elastic properties.