Relationship Between Ceramic Phases and Superior Thermo-Mechanical Properties, Corrosion Resistance, and Uninterrupted Electrical Conductivity Using Thermally Activated Synthesis
摘要
This study tackles the enhancement of microhardness, elastic moduli, thermal expansion coefficient, and corrosion resistance of silicon bronze (SB), while preserving its electrical conductivity from breakdown. A hybrid reinforcing approach was used, including in-situ-synthesized Mg2Si and ex-situ-introduced Ti3SiC2 MAX phase. Mg2Si, a semiconducting phase generated following sintering by a thermally activated synthesis, enhances overall characteristics without significantly increasing porosity, thus preventing a substantial decrease in electrical conductivity. Moreover, the MAX phase, characterized by its high electrical conductivity, helps maintain conductivity and significantly enhances the previously described qualities. The synergistic integration of Mg2Si and MAX phase results in optimized property improvement and good electrical performance. The composite was characterized for its structure, mechanical properties, thermal expansion, corrosion behavior, and electrical conductivity. X-ray results of the sintered samples showed the formation of the Mg2Si phase at the expense of the Cu3Si phase after adding Mg. A significant improvement in the mechanical properties of the composites was recorded, as the highest microhardness, compressive strength, and Young’s modulus were recorded at 127.46 HV, 375.44 MPa, and 162.86 GPa for the sample enhanced with 5% Mg and 8% MAX phase (SB5), as they improved by about 69.70%, 32.68%, and 28.24%, respectively, compared to SB alloy (SB1). Moreover, the thermal expansion coefficient (CTE) and corrosion rate of the same sample decrease to 11.11 × 10⁻6/°C and 0.179 mmpy, representing decreases of approximately 32.32% and 63.55%, respectively, compared to SB1 (16.41 × 10⁻6/°C and 0.492, respectively). Finally, the electrical conductivity of the SB5 sample decreased slightly from 1.22 × 10⁷ S/cm for SB1 to 0.94 × 10⁷ S/cm.