Effect of Si Addition on Resistivity of Porous SiC-Si Composite for Heating Element Application

Abstract

To fabricate porous SiC-Si composites for heating element applications, both SiC powders and Si powders were mixed and sintered together. The properties of the sintered SiC-Si body were investigated as a function of SiC particle size and/or Si particle contents from 10 wt% to 40 wt%, respectively. Porous SiC-Si composites were fabricated by Si bonded reaction at a sintering temperature of 1650 oC for 80 min. The microstructure and phase analysis of SiC-Si composites that depend on Si particle contents were characterized using scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction. The electrical resistivity of SiC-Si composites was also evaluated using a 4-point probe resistivity method. The electrical resistivity of the sintered SiC-Si body sharply decreased as the amount of Si addition increased. We found that the electrical resistivity of porous SiC-Si composites is closely related to the amount of Si added and at least 20 wt% Si are needed in order to apply the SiCSi composites to the heating element.