Mechanical and Thermophysical Properties of Zr–Al–Si–C Ceramics

The mechanical and thermophysical properties of quaternary‐layered carbides, Zr 2 [Al(Si)] 4 C 5 and Zr 3 [Al(Si)] 4 C 6 have been investigated and compared with those of Zr 2 Al 3 C 4 and Zr 3 Al 3 C 5 . These four carbides are generally alike in mechanical and thermophysical properties due to their similar crystal structures that consisting of alternatively stacked ZrC layers and Al 3 C 2 /[Al(Si)] 4 C 3 slabs. The layer thickness of zirconium carbide and aluminum carbide has effects on their properties. Thicker layer of zirconium carbide and/or thinner layer of aluminum carbides are in favor of stiffness, hardness, thermal, and electrical conductivities, but go against density, specific stiffness, Debye temperature, and coefficient of thermal expansion.