Microwave absorption and mechanical properties of β-SiC–C structure-function composites prepared by liquid phase sintering

Abstract

β-SiC–C composites with good microwave absorption were prepared using the liquid phase sintering method. The effects of C content and sintering temperature on microwave absorption and fracture strength of the composites were investigated. The results were compared with those of the composites prepared by solid phase sintering. When C content was 3wt% and the sintering temperature was 1800°C, the composite 1-SAYC3 presented a good combination of microwave absorption and fracture strength, and almost all the attenuations of 1-SAYC3 were over −30dB in the whole X band. It might play an ideal role as an integrated structure-function material. The reason why microwave absorption of the composites prepared by liquid sintering was improved was mainly related to restriction of β–α SiC transformation.