Processing and material characterization of a fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composite used for surge protective device enclosure

摘要

Chopped quartz fiber-reinforced aluminum phosphate ceramic matrix composite was developed by reacting aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3) with phosphoric acids at a temperature of 120 ° C and then curing at 250 ° C. The phase composition, microstructure, mechanical properties, fire resistance and electric insulation were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), 3-point bending tests, electric furnace burning and dielectric strength test, respectively. The composite matrix was found to consist of mainly phases of aluminum phosphate, gibbsite and boehmite. The composite material has a bending strength of 14.8 MPa and fire-resistance up to a very high temperature (above 1100°C), with dielectric voltage strength between 2277V and 3238V, which is promising to be used for the enclosure of surge protective device (SPD) in order to improve the resistance to abnormal heat and fire of SPD.