The fabrication of silicon carbide heating elements

Bibliography: pages 51-54. === The microstructure of different types of industrially produced heating elements was examined and an x-ray diffraction method was devised to determine the relative amounts of α- and β-silicon carbide present in these materials. It was confirmed that the α- to β-silicon...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Smith, Zoë G
Format: Dissertation
Language:English
Published: University of Cape Town 2016
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/11427/21965
Description
Summary:Bibliography: pages 51-54. === The microstructure of different types of industrially produced heating elements was examined and an x-ray diffraction method was devised to determine the relative amounts of α- and β-silicon carbide present in these materials. It was confirmed that the α- to β-silicon carbide transformation occurs during heat treatment, because of the influence of the nitrogen atmosphere in the furnace. The fabrication parameters important in the manufacture of heating elements were investigated. Porous sintered silicon carbide samples were made using different proportions of grit sizes and various firing schedules. Both resistivity and crushing strength were determined. It was found that the resistivity is dependent upon degree of sintering (indicated by crushing strength) as well as the packing density of the porous body.