Aluminium nitride-molybdenum ceramic matrix composites possessing high thermal shock resistance

Aluminium nitride-molybdenum ceramic matrix composites were produced by hotpressing a mixture of AlN and Mo powders. Thermal shock resistance of a composite (AM25) which contained 25 vol.% of metallic phase dispersed in the AlN matrix, was studied in order to verify the influence of metallic phase additional on the thermal properties. Results showed that AM25 possess a critical temperature difference (ΔTc) for thermal shock of about 550°C compared to a mean value of 350°C measured in the case of pure hot pressed AlN. This improvement in thermal shock resistance was attributed to better mechanical properties and higher thermal conductivity of AM25 as compared to pure AlN.