Novel synthesis of ZrO2-SiCw-C insert ring materials for slide plates

Abstract To reduce the cost and firing temperature of traditional ZrO2 insert rings, the new ZrO2-SiCw-C (w-whisker) insert ring materials were successfully synthesized using ZrO2, Si, graphite powders as starting materials, and phenolic resin as binder. The effects of amount of Si powder addition (5, 8 and 11 wt%) and firing temperatures (1100 °C, 1200 °C and 1400 °C) on the phase composition, microstructure and properties of as-obtained products have been investigated. The results show that Si reacts with C or CO at high temperature to form SiCw, which intersperses in the ZrO2 material to develop an interlocking network structure, resulting in strengthening effect and leading to an increase in the strength of the composites. The composites have good oxidation resistance due to the formation of some glass film on the sample surface. The optimum firing temperature is 1200 °C, which is much lower than that of pure ZrO2 material (>1700 °C). The as-prepared ZrO2-SiCw-C materials possess good properties, making good prospects for fabricating insert rings of slide plates.