Electrically Conductive CNT‐Dispersed Silicon Nitride Ceramics

Carbon nanotube (CNT)‐dispersed Si 3 N 4 ceramics with electrical conductivity were developed based on the lower temperature densification technique, in which the key point is the addition of both TiO 2 and AlN as well as Y 2 O 3 and Al 2 O 3 as sintering aids. This new ceramic with a small amount of CNTs exhibits very high electrical conductivity in addition to high strength and toughness. Since Si 3 N 4 ceramics with Y 2 O 3 –Al 2 O 3 –TiO 2 –AlN were originally used as a wear material, electrically conductive Si 3 N 4 ceramics are expected to be applied for high‐performance static‐electricity‐free bearings for aerospace and other high‐performance components.