Mechanical and Electrical Properties of 3Y-TZP/CrSi₂ Ceramics Fabricated by Pressureless Sintering

The development of composite materials with appropriate mechanical and electrical properties for electronic cigarette heating elements is essential, but it remains challenging despite the creation of numerous new composite materials. In this study, we have developed a new heating element material, 3Y-TZP/CrSi₂ ceramics, fabricated by pressureless sintering. The study systematically investigated the microstructure, phase evolution, mechanical properties, and electrical properties of ceramics and established a model for evaluating and understanding the electrical properties of ceramics by fitting the experimental data with the GEM model. We found that the addition of CrSi₂ decreased the bending strength of ceramics while improving the electrical conductivity, and the high-temperature solid-state reaction of CrSi₂ resulted in the formation of Cr₅Si₃ and Cr₃Si, which further improved the electrical conductivity. The GEM model analysis indicated that percolation in ceramics is the main factor contributing to high electrical conductivity. These findings will offer new insights for designing and developing materials with appropriate mechanical and electrical properties for heating elements.