Microstructure and Properties of Spark Plasma Sintering AlN/BN Ceramics

Aluminum nitride-boron nitride (AlN/BN) composite ceramics were prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The sintering behaviors of AlN/BN composites with 5~15% volume fraction of BN were studied. The influences of BN content, as well as the sintering temperature on the density, microstructure, mechanical strength, thermal conductivity and machinability of the composites were also investigated. The results showed that the full densification of AlN/BN composite ceramics could be realized by SPS technique at the temperature no higher than 1800℃ for 3 minutes. The thermal conductivity of AlN/BN composites is in the range of 66~79W/mK, and AlN/BN composites can be cut or drilled by carbides or even steel tools when BN content is 15% volume fraction. The mechanical strength of AlN/BN composites is about 330MPa and is not remarkably affected by the addition of BN. The improvement of mechanical properties of AlN/BN composite ceramics is due to the fine and homogenous microstructure developed in the SPS process.