Abstract
Fused silica ceramics composites were widely using for the fabrication of radomes which is the vital component of a missile. The required properties were attained by the addition of small amounts of Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) to the fused silica for enhancing flexural strength and without disturbing the dielectric properties. In the present work, porous fused silica ceramic composites were fabricated using gelcasting process, a near net shaping technique. The experiments were conducted using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) central composite with face centered design with six centre points approach. The process parameters of gelcasting process such as solid loading, monomer ratio, monomer content and additive (Si3N4) were considered as input parameters and flexural strength, porosity and dielectric constant as response parameters. Single parameter and interaction parameter effect on responses were studied. The effectiveness of derived models was compared with Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 95% confidence level. Statistical analysis proven that input parameters have critical effect on responses. The derived RSM mathematical models have a higher R2 values (Flexural strength 97.62%, Porosity 95.12% and dielectric constant 95.93%) which shows the critical relation between actual and predicted values. The optimal responses obtained were flexural strength 86.173 MPa, porosity 39.767% and dielectric constant 6.949 corresponding parameters process parameters solid loading 47.95%, additive (Si3N4) 10.43 wt%, monomer content 15 wt% and monomer ratio 3.
Effect of Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) on Mechanical and Dielectric Properties of Fused Silica Ceramic Composites
