Pavol Hvizdoš
Slovak Academy of Sciences, Slovakia
Title: Microstructure, mechanical properties, and machinability of electrically conductive SiC based composites
Biography
Biography: Pavol Hvizdoš
Abstract
A range of complex composites based on SiC matrix with conductive additives such as TiNbC and carbon nanotubes of various volume fractions was prepared. The microstructure and chemical composition were studied by SEM equipped with EDX analyzer. Mechanical properties such as hardness and fracture toughness of prepared composite materials were evaluated by means of Vickers indentation. Propagation of indentation cracks was analyzed using light microscopy and SEM. Nanohardness and elasticity of individual constituent phases were determined by instrumented nanoindentation. Wear and its mechanisms were studied by means of tribological testing in pin-on-disc configuration and wear resistance. Additionally, the electric conductivity as function of volume fraction and distribution of the condutive additives was determined and percolation limits established. Machinability of the prepared materials by electric discharge technique was tested and material removal mechanisms determined.
