Simulation and Experimental Study on Electrothermal Behavior of SPS-sintered Si3N4-based Composite Ceramic Tool Materials with Conductive Reinforcing Phase

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1004-132X.2026.09.021

Abstract

Abstract:

The high heating rate of SPS technology might cause significant temperature differences within the sintering system， thereby affecting the uniformity of the structure and properties of sintered specimens. The COMSOL Multiphysics software was used to construct a two-dimensional thermo-electrical coupling finite element model with controllable temperature over time by introducing a PID algorithm. The reliability and accuracy of the model were verified through sintering experiments in calculating the current field and temperature field. The influence of the added conductive phase TiCN content on the electrical conductivity of Si₃N₄-based ceramic tool materials was analyzed based on effective medium percolation theory， revealing the patterns and mechanisms governing their electrothermal behavior during SPS sintering. Results indicate that the conductive phase content significantly influences current density and temperature distribution within the sintering system， particularly the internal temperature distribution of specimens. Axial temperature distribution exhibits good consistency， whereas radial temperature differences are relatively substantial. By using this temperature difference to regulate the phase composition in the radial direction， it is expected to moderately control the radial microstructure and mechanical properties of sintered tool materials.

Key words: spark plasma sintering（SPS）, silicon nitride, conductive phase, temperature distribution

摘要：

放电等离子烧结（SPS）技术的高升温速率会导致烧结系统产生较大的温度差异，进而影响烧结试样结构和性能的均匀性。借助COMSOL Multiphysics软件，通过引入PID算法，构建了温度随时间可控的二维热-电耦合有限元模型，并通过烧结实验验证了模型对电流场和温度场计算的可靠性与准确性。基于有效介质渗流理论，分析了添加的导电相TiCN含量对Si₃N₄基陶瓷刀具材料电导率的影响，并揭示了它对SPS烧结过程中电热行为的影响规律和机理。结果表明，导电相含量会显著影响烧结系统中的电流密度和温度分布，尤其是试样内部的温度分布，其中，烧结试样轴向温度表现出较好的一致性，但径向温度差异相对较大。利用这种温度差异调控试样径向的物相组成，有望实现烧结刀具材料径向微观组织及力学性能的适度调控。

关键词: 放电等离子烧结, 氮化硅, 导电相, 温度分布

CLC Number:

TQ174

YIN Mingyue, LIU Hanlian, HUANG Chuanzhen, WANG Guanqun, LIU Dun, QIU Yinghua, XU Longhua. Simulation and Experimental Study on Electrothermal Behavior of SPS-sintered Si₃N₄-based Composite Ceramic Tool Materials with Conductive Reinforcing Phase[J]. China Mechanical Engineering, 2026, 37(9): 2290-2297.

尹明越, 刘含莲, 黄传真, 王冠群, 刘盾, 裘英华, 徐龙华. SPS烧结添加导电增强相的Si₃N₄基复合陶瓷刀具材料的电热行为仿真与试验研究[J]. 中国机械工程, 2026, 37(9): 2290-2297.

Figures/Tables 13

Fig.1 Schematic of the geometry， fit relationship and dimensions of sintering mold and specimen

Fig.2 Schematic of PID temperature control principle

Fig. 3 Schematic of model boundary conditions， initial values and meshing details

Tab.1 Physical properties of graphite and Si3N4-TiCN composite［21-23］

参数	石墨	Si₃N₄-TiCN 复合材料
弹性模量/GPa	103	250
泊松比	0.32	0.23
密度/ （kg · m $- 3$ ）	1800	3100
热容/ （J · kg $- 1$ · K $- 1$ ）	$1023 + 0.6285 T$	$1301.4812 / [1 + e x p (- 0.00705 × (T + 122.629))]$
电导率/（S · m $- 1$ ）	$4.5 × 107 / (1328 - 1.37 T + 1.5 × 10 - 3 T 2 - 5 × 10 - 7 T 3 + 7.4 × 10 - 11 T 4)$	见式（4）
热导率/ （W · m $- 1$ · K $- 1$ ）	$104.7643 - 0.1359 T + 1.492 × 10 - 4 T 2 - 8.3859 × 10 - 8 T 3 + 1.7368 × 10 - 11 T 4$	见式（5）

Tab.1 Physical properties of graphite and Si3N4-TiCN composite［21-23］

参数	石墨	Si₃N₄-TiCN 复合材料
弹性模量/GPa	103	250
泊松比	0.32	0.23
密度/ （kg · m $- 3$ ）	1800	3100
热容/ （J · kg $- 1$ · K $- 1$ ）	$1023 + 0.6285 T$	$1301.4812 / [1 + e x p (- 0.00705 × (T + 122.629))]$
电导率/（S · m $- 1$ ）	$4.5 × 107 / (1328 - 1.37 T + 1.5 × 10 - 3 T 2 - 5 × 10 - 7 T 3 + 7.4 × 10 - 11 T 4)$	见式（4）
热导率/ （W · m $- 1$ · K $- 1$ ）	$104.7643 - 0.1359 T + 1.492 × 10 - 4 T 2 - 8.3859 × 10 - 8 T 3 + 1.7368 × 10 - 11 T 4$	见式（5）

Fig.4 Comparison of simulation results with experimental data

Tab.2 Effective conductivity of composite as a function of TiCN content at 1700 °C

φ_TiCN

33.5

电导率/

（S·m $- 1$ ）

1.40×10

- 11

1.45×10

- 11

2.18×10

- 11

1.20×10³

4.38×10⁴

Tab.2 Effective conductivity of composite as a function of TiCN content at 1700 °C

φ_TiCN

33.5

电导率/

（S·m $- 1$ ）

1.40×10

- 11

1.45×10

- 11

2.18×10

- 11

1.20×10³

4.38×10⁴

Fig.5 Current density distribution at θA=1700 °C for different TiCN contents

Fig.6 Temperature variation with time in the sintering system

Fig.7 Temperature distribution along the G-E line of the sintering system at θA=1700 °C

Fig.8 Axial temperature and mechanics properties of sintered specimen

Fig.9 Temperature variation with time in the sintered specimen

Fig.10 Radial temperature distribution（line A-B） of specimen with TiCN content at θA=1700 ℃

Fig.11 XRD patterns， phase composition and hardness of sintered specimen

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Simulation and Experimental Study on Electrothermal Behavior of SPS-sintered Si₃N₄-based Composite Ceramic Tool Materials with Conductive Reinforcing Phase

SPS烧结添加导电增强相的Si₃N₄基复合陶瓷刀具材料的电热行为仿真与试验研究

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References 28

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