ISSN:
1572-9567
Keywords:
aluminium/silicon carbide cermet
;
aluminum/silicon eutectic
;
plasma spray
;
specific heat
;
thermal conductivity
;
thermal diffusivity
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Physics
Notes:
Abstract The thermal conductivities of three plasma-sprayed cermets have been determined over the temperature range 23–630°C from the measurement of the specific heat, thermal diffusivity, and density. These cermets are mixtures of Al and SiC prepared by plasma spray deposition and are being considered for various applications in magnetic confinement fusion devices. The samples consisted of three compositions: 61 vol% Al/39 vol% SiC, 74vol% Al/26vol% SiC, and 83 vol% Al/17 vol% SiC. The specific heat was determined by differential scanning calorimetry through the Al melt transition up to 720°C, while the thermal diffusivity was determined using the laser flash technique up to 630°C. The linear thermal expansion was measured and used to correct the diffusivity and density values. The thermal diffusivity showed a significant increase after thermal cycling due to a reduction in the intergrain contact resistance, increasing from 0.4 to 0.6 cm2·−1 at 160°C. However, effective medium theory calculations indicated that the thermal conductivities of both the Al and the SiC were below the ideal defect-free limit even after high-temperature cycling. The specific heat measurements showed suppressed melting points in the plasmasprayed cermets. The 39 vol% SiC began a melt endotherm at 577°C, which peaked in the 640–650°C range depending on the sample thermal history. Chemical and X-ray diffraction analysis indicated the presence of free silicon in the cermet and in the SiC powder, which resulted in a eutectic Al/Si alloy.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00500169
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