International Journal of Management, Technology And Engineering ISSN NO : 2249-7455

INVESTIGATION OF SIC/NI
COMPOSITES CHARACTERISTICS BY
THE EFFECT OF SIC
GUNAVATHI.K1, JAGADEESH.A2, SUSHMITA.C3*
1,2,3
DEPARTMENT OF AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING,
DHANALAKSHMI SRINIVASAN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY,
TAMILNADU, INDIA

ABSTRACT
In this present study an investigation of alpha-silicon carbide reinforced with nickel matrix of various
concentration (up to 4 wt. %) were carried out. Fabrication of SiC/Nickel composites were made by a
process of powder technology. The final product of powder technology was cold compacted at 400 Mpa in
a single axes head, and then sintering in a controlled furnace in an atmosphere of hydrogen/nitrogen mixture
of 3:2 at 1000°C. The Sic/Ni composites were investigated by scanning using a electron microscope and
X-Ray diffraction. The electron microscope scanning showed that the microstructure of sintered SiC/Ni
composites in that SiC reinforcement is distributed uniformly in Nickel matrix. X-Ray diffraction data
showed that the Ni as the main phase (fcc) and α-SiC phase in the sintered Sic/Ni composite. The
mechanical properties of density, electrical conductivity, coefficient of thermal expansion and hardness
were measured for the SiC/Ni composites in order to evaluate the sintering process. The result shows that
the increase in SiC content decreases the relative density, electrical conductivity, coefficient of thermal
expansion but increases the hardness of the materials.
KEYWORDS: THERMAL EXPANSION, SINTERING, COMPOSITE, HARDNESS.

INTRODUCTION
In a metal working industry, different types of materials are used for cutting tool, including high
carbon steel, hard metals and alloys, cubic boron nitride, diamonds, cermet’s, and composites etc. In most
cases the tool is based on the proper material for each application. The good mechanical properties of the
ceramic cutting tools, it is used as a high-speed machining in the machining industry [1-6]. Therefore, the
physical and mechanical properties of the material used for cutting tools play an important role to ensure
the efficiency of the machining. Ceramics cutting tools are the most important for the machining hard
materials due to them excel mechanical properties at elevated temperatures [7, 8]. SiC cutting tools which
became the promising cutting tools among the other cutting tools due to their high strength, hardness [2, 3],
and fracture toughness [9-11]. However, the limitations of their applications are the insufficient wear
resistance and inferior thermal shock resistance, which cause high wear rate [10, 11]. To obtain a good wear
resistance cutting tool, a SiC cutting tool is introduced in the light spot for the researchers in the last decades
on a wide variety of applications [13,14]. Due to their high thermal conductivity, high fracture toughness,
high wear resistance and stabilities at elevated temperature, SiC ceramic cutting tools can show reliable
cutting performance during high speed turning of grey cast iron [15-18]. However, SiC cutting tools faces
many problems during the machining such as high temperature of the edge, high temperature of the cutting
tools and weak resistance with high speeds; resulting in the weakness of the industrial production [19-22].
Recently, composites are widely used in fabrication of cutting tools due to their excellent properties at high
temperature and resistance to corrosions [23]. Ceramic particles reinforced with Ni composites are

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considered as the suitable candidate for the application of cutting tools because of the chemical stability at
elevated temperatures, coefficient of thermal expansion, hardness, resistance of corrosion [22-27]. Ni
embedded with SiC was studied for the application in the fabrication of cutting tool [21]. The addition of
Ni to SiC composites had improved the physical and mechanical properties of cutting tool. The interfacial
reactions between Ni and SiC have been improved its properties [23, 25]. The SiC/Ni composite increased
the strength properties of the cutting tool at elevated temperature and high pressure. In addition, Ni is
enhanced the thermal and electric conductivity [22].
In this present investigation deals with the study of the effect of SiC on the microstructure, physical
properties of SiC/Ni composites fabricated by using powder technology. The produced sintered composites
were investigated using X-ray diffraction and Scanning electron microscope. The conductivity at room
temperature, coefficient of thermal expansion at different temperatures as well as hardness have been
measured to evaluate the produced sintered composites.

EXPERIMENT
The Nickel powder of a particle size 2-3 mm, α-SiC powder of average particle size of 100µm, paraffin
wax, and acetone are used for the investigation. Fig.1 shows the SEM (Scanned electron microscope)
image of the investigated α-SiC and Ni powder. From the SEM, its observed that the α-SiC particle has
equiaxed shape, however the Ni particle has polygon shape.
Different samples of Sic/Ni mixtures proportions upto 4wt.% are prepared. The sample mixtures
are prepared by grinding the constituents in agate mortar for 30 min using acetone as a grinding media.
Then it is cold compacted with 400MPa in a uniaxial die of diameter 12mm using hydraulic press. Then it
is sintered at 1000°C in an atmospheric condition of 3:2 H2/N2 gas mixture for 120 min. The final product
is grinded, polished, undergone metallographic investigation by electron microscope.

FIG.1: SEM IMAGES OF A) SIC B) NI POWDERS

Composites densities can be calculated theoretically by using the rule of mixture using Eq.(1).
𝑑𝑐 = 𝑑𝑚 . 𝑉𝑚 + 𝑑𝑓 . 𝑉𝑓 (1)
where dc, dm, df are densities of the composities, Ni matrix and SiC reinforcement phase. Vm, Vf are volume
fractiopn of the Ni matrix and SiC reinforcement phase respectively.
The density of the obtained SiC/Ni sintered samples was measured using water as a floating
liquid and the sintered density ρ is calculated by the Archimedes principal using Eq. (2) as
follows;
(2)
where W air and Wwater are the weight of specimen in air and i n water, respectively. The
relative density ρ rel atiue is est imated by calculating the ratio of the act ual compos ite density
ρ to the theoret ica l density ρ ih by us ing Eq. (3) as follows;

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ρ 𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 = ρ /ρ 𝑡ℎ (3)

The thermal expans ion coefficient of composite was measured using the dilatometry method
at 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300°C, respect ively, for 15 min by heating rate of 17°C/min.
The linear coefficient of therma l expans ion (CTE) was ca lculated according to the Eq. (4) as
1 1 𝛥𝐿
follows. 𝛼 = 𝛥𝑇 𝜀 = (𝐿 ) 𝛥𝑇 (4)
0

where 𝛼 is the CTE, ΔT = T - T 0 is the temperature interval, and T 0 = 293 K, 𝜀 = ΔL/ L0

is the change length to the original length and ΔL is e x p a n s i o n l e n g t h a n d L 0
is the original lengt h.

The SiC/Ni composites electrical conductivity theoretically calculated by using the rule of
mixtures by using Eq. (5) as follows.

𝐸𝑐 = 𝑃𝑚 . 𝑉𝑚 + 𝑃𝑓 . 𝑉𝑓 (5)

where Pm, Pf are the theoretical conductivity of the metal and the reinforcement phase,
respectivel y and Vm, Vf a re the fractional vol u me of the metal matrix and reinforcement
phase, respectively .
The electrical resistivity of the SiC/Ni Composites is measured by using a digital multimeter GDM 6145
device by the four-probe method. The resistivity ρ is determined by using Eq. (6), while electrical
conductivity σ can be calculated using ohm’s law by applying the data of resistivity.
𝑅⋅𝐴
𝜌= (6)
𝐿

where R is the resistance in µΩ, L is the length measured in cm, A is the cross-section area in cm2, ρ
is the resistivity in µΩ cm and the electrical conductivity σ is reciprocal to the electrical resistivity ρ,
σ = 1/ ρ. The hardness of the SiC/Ni composites can be measured by taking average of six different
indentation for the applied load of 100g for 15sec.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Powder compaction plays an important role in the production of powder metallurgy products. The
process of powder compaction has different stages namely, sliding, rearrangement of particles, reduce
porosity, elastic deformation of particles at the contact point followed on plastic deformation of the particle
at the contact point and fragmentation of particle for brittle materials. These stages have great influence in
the characteristics of powders, such as strength, size distribution and shape. Sintering is the final stage of
the manufacturing powder metallurgy products and it is one of the most important method. The process of
sintering is very difficult and also it is carried out in a controlled atmosphere which enables the product
acquire required mechanical and physical properties without oxidation or other reactions. Sintering process
change the dispersed or powder particle into a solid metallic part. Sintering process was assessed by
investigating the change in dimension of each samples before and after sintering using a dial gauge
micrometer of 10-3 mm sensitivity. The change in dimensions and weights of the investigated samples
results, there is reaction or oxidation in the products. It was found that the there is no change in weight of
the produced SiC/Ni composites were observed during sintering operation, which meant that no reaction
between the constituents (SiC and Ni) and the hydrogen or nitrogen gas was taking place during sintering
for all the produced samples.

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FIG.2 SCANNED ELECTRON MICROGRAPHS OF SIC/NI COMPOSITIES WHERE; A) 1 WT.% SIC/NI, B) 2 WT.%
SIC/NI C0 3 WT.% SIC/NI D) 4 WT.% SIC/NI

Fig. 2(a-d) shows scanned electron microscope image of the cross-sectional area of the prepared 1, 2, 3,
4wt.% SiC/Ni sintered composites. From the micrograph it is observed that the SiC reinforced material is
homogeneously distributed in the Ni matrix material of the SiC/Ni composites with good adhesion between
them. In the Fig. 2(a) of 1 wt.% of SiC in Ni matrix, equiaxed SiC particles are dispersed in the Ni matrix.
So, the dispersed phase volume of SiC is increased if the wt.% of SiC increased. It also observed that the
sintered composites SiC/Ni has porosity in the nickel matrix because of the partial coalescence of the Nickel
particle during sintering at 1000°C temperature. The sintering temperature was selected below the oxidation
temperature of the SiC and Ni to keep the structure and the chemical composition of the SiC and Ni under
stable sintering conditions in the presence of inert gas H2/N2. The reason for the improved bonding and
density of SiC/Ni composite is mainly due to the contact Ni matrix particle/particle and sintering behaves
like Ni compact in low SiC content.

FIG.3 X-RAY DIFFRACTION OF PURE NI AND CORRESPONDING SCI/NI COMPOSITES

The X-ray diffraction patterns of the sintered Ni and its corresponding SiC/Ni composites sintered
at 1000°C temperature as shown in Fig.3. In that graph, identical peaks of Nickel matrix and SiC phase
were appeared. The results of the sintered SiC/Ni composites consist of (fcc) Ni as a main phase and a
coexiting α-SiC phase. And also, it is clear that no inclusions of foreign particle in a controlled atmosphere

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condition of 1000°C sintering temperature for short time of 120 min. In Fig.3, X-ray diffraction patterns of
pure nickel shows that the peaks of (311), (220) and (111) characteristics of a (fcc) structure. The X-ray
diffraction of SiC/Ni composites has no change in the microstructure. This result indicates that the produced
SiC/Ni composites does not oxidized and chemically stable during sintering process at 1000°C in a
controlled atmospheric condition.

FIG.4 EFFECT OF SIC CONTENT ON THE RELATIVE GREEN SINTERED DENSITY OF THE PRODUCED SCI/NI
COMPOSITES

Fig.4 shows that the relative green density and the sintering density of the produced SiC/Ni composites
with different SiC content. The relative green density of the produced SiC/Ni composites were determined
by calculating the engineering density. The weight of each sample was measured by three-digit electric
balance and its dimension and volume was measured using 0.01mm micrometer. It is observed that the
composite has low SiC has higher relative density than the composite has high SiC content due to the good
sinterability of the composite which enhance the strong binding force between the SiC particles and Ni
matrix.

FIG.5 EFFECT OF SIC CONTENT ON THE CTE AT DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES OF THE PRODUCED SCI/NI
COMPOSITES

The above Fig.5 shows the effect of SiC content on the coefficient of thermal expansion decreased
by increasing the SiC content. Also, from the fig.5 its observed that the CTE is increased linearly upto
300°C. This is due to the initial hydraulic compression of the reinforcement SiC particles in the Ni matrix
causing an increasing expansion of the composites. It is also observed that the at high temperature above
200°C, CTE values increased only a small rate, because the internal stresses in the matrix are decreased
during heating namely plastic flow at high temperature [15-17].

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The conductivity measurement was performed in order to investigate the effects of SiC content in the
sinterability of the SiC/Ni composites. Fig.6 shows the electrical conductivity values of the SiC/Ni
composites as a function of SiC content. It was observed that decrease in electrical conductivity by
increasing the SiC content in the Ni matrix. It is due to two factors; electrical property of metals is based
on the movement of the electron in the composite structure and decreases the conductivity in Ni matrix. By
increasing the SiC content in the metal matrix, the structure distorts due to the formation of the interface
between the SiC particle and the Ni matrix causes some obstruction to the electron movement

FIG.6 EFFECT OF SIC CONTENT ON THE ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY OF THE PRODUCED SCI/NI
COMPOSITES
This leads to the increases the resistivity and decreases the electrical conductivity of the composites. In
addition, electrical conductivity is directly affected by the porosity and the void content. Since the
conductivity of the pore is zero. Porosity cause a break in the continuous Ni matrix network chain. The
absence of the continuous network increases the resistivity [28].

Hardness were measured to investigate the strengthening effect of the SiC particle reinforcement in the Ni
matrix. The Vickers hardness value of SiC/Ni composites are shown in Fig.7. It was observed by increasing
α-Sic phase content, an increase inn the hardness of the specimen exhibited.

FIG.7 EFFECT OF SIC CONTENT ON THE HARDNESS OF THE PRODUCED SCI/NI COMPOSITES

This is exhibited the hardness of the α-SiC is higher than the hardness of the Ni matrix. The hardness of Ni
namely 66, is much lower than the 240, this difference is due to the porosity in the Ni matrix. One can also
shows from the data of the measured hardness of the Ni binder phase that exact character of the
microstructure as shown in Fig.2 has a critical influence on the hardness. There is no evidence of a
continuous α-SiC skeleton in the materials. The low surface energies that correspond to such complete
wetting promote coverage of all the SiC particle surface with Ni matrix [29,30].

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CONCLUSION
In this investigation, α-SiC/Ni composites powder mixtures with the different α-SiC content were
prepared. The SiC/Ni composites were compacted using sintering powder technology at 1000°C for 120
min, the composite could be consolidated to fully density at relatively low temperature. The micrographs
of the SiC/Ni composites show that the SiC particles embedded in the Ni matrix exerted strong influence
of the produced composites. The X-ray diffraction identifies two single different phase in the produced
composites, one for SiC and other for Ni. Significant decrease in the sintering density as well as the
electrical conductivity of the produced SiC/Ni composites was observed. The coefficient of thermal
expansion of the produced SiC/Ni composites decreasing by increasing the SiC content phase. The hardness
of the produced SiC/Ni composites increases by increasing the SiC content as compared to Ni content. By
increasing the SiC content, the density is clearly decreasing while the strengthening is progressively
achieved. The result shows that the SiC particle reinforced in the Ni matrix, improved the properties of the
Ni, which makes it great purposes for the cutting tool.

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