Influence of AlN addition on thermal and mechanical properties of cordierite-based glass/ceramic composites

Cordierite-based glass/ceramic composites doped with different volume fractions of AlN particles were successfully prepared by hot-pressing process. Thermal and mechanical properties of the composites were also investigated. Results show that the thermal conductivity, the flexural strength and fracture toughness of cordierite-based glass/AlN composites increase with increasing AlN content. The thermal conductivity of the composite doped with 50 vol.% AlN reaches 6.5 W/m K. By incorporation of 40 vol.% AlN, the flexural strength and fracture toughness of the composites increase 81 and 139% compared to the unreinforced cordierite-based glass matrix, respectively. XRD analysis indicated that no chemical reaction occurred between cordierite-based glass and AlN. The main strengthening and toughening mechanisms is load transfer and crack deflection.