Synthesis of alumina-SiC nanocomposite by low temperature annealing

Abstract

Silicon Carbide nanowire reinforced alumina nanocomposite was synthesized by annealing compressed powders at 900°C and 950°C in Argon atmosphere, with Silicon and Activated Carbon as precursors milled for 18 hrs using vibrational ball mill with 60 wt% alumina. Increasing milling time decreases the particle size of the mixture. The morphology of the product was characterized using Scanning Electron Microscope. Increasing annealing temperature from 900°C to 950°C increases the amount of SiC nanowires as well as its size with an average diameter of 35 nm and 54 nm, respectively.