The fabrication of silicon carbide heating elements

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.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Civil Engineering

Year dc:date.issued

1992

Author dc:creator

• Smith, Zoë G

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/21965

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/21965