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Silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics are widely recognized for their high hardness, excellent thermal stability, and chemical inertness. However, the inherent brittleness of pure (SiC) matrix remains a primary limitation for demanding structural and armour applications. In this study, the effect of graphite inclusions on the mechanical performance and sintering behavior of SiC-based ceramics was investigated. Ceramic samples with varying graphite concentrations (ranging from 10% to 30%) were fabricated to establish the structure-property relationships.
Mechanical testing revealed that low to moderate graphite additions substantially modify the failure mechanism of the material. Specifically, the incorporation of minor graphite inclusions in the range of 10–20% significantly improves the fracture toughness of the matrix. This enhancement is primarily attributed to the presence of the soft secondary phase, which effectively deflects the crack front and dissipates crack energy. Conversely, increasing the graphite content up to approximately 30% results in a pronounced degradation of overall mechanical strength. Such deterioration is caused by material oversaturation with the soft graphitic phase.
Beyond mechanical properties, the influence of graphite addition on the technological parameters of synthesis was evaluated. The introduction of graphite into the initial powder batch was found to exert a positive effect on the linear shrinkage of the final ceramic product.
Consequently, optimizing the graphite content within 10–20% offers a balanced combination of enhanced fracture toughness, controlled shrinkage, and acceptable mechanical properties.
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