Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics, Vol.59, 144-157, 2013
Mass spectrometric and thermodynamic analyses of (SiC-SiO2) powders vaporization behavior
The high temperature vaporization of (SiC-SiO2) powders mixtures has been studied under vacuum using the Knudsen Cell Mass Spectrometric method in order to determine their vapor pressures as a function of their composition and to check their morphology change with time during the heat treatment. Various characterization methods - grain size distribution analysis, XRD, Raman spectra and Scanning Electron Microscopy - were used before and after heat treatment in the mass spectrometer in order to observe the growth of any possible links between SiC grains. The present study showed that as long as silica was present, links growth could not be observed. Lower SiO(g) and CO(g) partial pressures than equilibrium were observed and the evaporation coefficients have been determined. Then the origin of such low pressures was related to the control of the vaporization by oxygen diffusion in the silica layer existing at the surface of the SiC grains. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords:Mass spectrometry;(SiC-SiO2) powder mixtures;Knudsen cell;Vapour pressures;Evaporation coefficients