High toughness Si3N4 ceramic composites synergistically toughened by multilayer graphene/β-Si3N4 whisker: Preparation and toughening mechanism investigation.

This work aimed at investigating the superiorities of multilayer graphene (MLG) and β-Si 3 N 4 whisker (β-Si 3 N 4w) in synergistically enhancing the toughness of Si 3 N 4 ceramic composites. First, Si 3 N 4 ceramic composites with hybrid 1 wt% MLG and 0 – 5 wt% β-Si 3 N 4w were sintered by spark plasma sintering. Phase constitutions and microstructures of Si 3 N 4 -based ceramic composites were characterized by X-rays diffraction, Raman spectra, and scanning electron microscope. Then, the optimal β-Si 3 N 4w content and sintering process of MLG/β-Si 3 N 4w -toughened Si 3 N 4 ceramic composites were comprehensively optimized by orthogonal experiments. Results indicated that in the case of maintaining the hardness of 15.87 – 18.84 GPa, the fracture toughness of Si 3 N 4 ceramic composites incorporated with 1 wt% MLG and 3 wt% β-Si 3 N 4w was advanced to 11.04 MPa·m1/2, which was 11.29% and 87.12% higher than that of 1 wt% MLG- and 3 wt% β-Si 3 N 4w -reinforced Si 3 N 4 ceramic composites, respectively. Orthogonal experiments demonstrated that 1 wt% MLG/3 wt% β-Si 3 N 4w -toughened Si 3 N 4 ceramic composites sintered at 1600 ℃, 40 MPa, and holding time for 6 min had optimum comprehensive mechanical properties. MLG wrapping and the synergistic effects of pull out, crack deflection, crack branching, and bridging resulted by MLG and β-Si 3 N 4w were the main responsible for the enhancement of toughness. [Display omitted] • MLG/β-Si 3 N 4w synergistic toughened Si 3 N 4 ceramics were sintered by SPS. • Fracture toughness of Si 3 N 4 -based ceramics was enhanced to 11.04 MPa·m1/2. • Optimal contents of MLG and β-Si 3 N 4w were 1 wt% and 3 wt%. • Optimum sintering process were 1600 ℃, 40 MPa, and holding time for 6 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]