Development of Multifunctional Silicon Nitride Based Nanocomposites

Silicon nitride based composites with 3 wt% different carbon additives (multiwall carbon nanotubes, graphene and carbon black) have been prepared. Optimisation of the manufacturing processes has been conducted to preserve the carbon nanotubes in composites and to avoid damaging during high temperature processing. The results show that carbon additives have a good contact to the surface of silicon nitride grains. It was found that the different carbon additions have significant effect to the electrical, mechanical, tribological and thermophysical properties of silicon nitride based composites in comparison with pure silicon nitride.