Dispersion Behavior of Silicon Carbide Whisker

The dispersion stability of silicon carbide whisker (SiCw) which is by-product of SiC was researched using distilled water as dispersing medium, polyethylene imine (PEI), tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH), poly(meth)acrylamide (PMAM) as the dispersants. The sedimentation and optical microscope technology are used to observe whisker dispersion ，FTIR and ZETA electric potential are used to explore its dispersion mechanism . The results show that the order of dispersion capacity of the dispersant was PEI> TMAH> PMAM.When 1.25vol% PEI was used as dispersant, SiCw can be dispersed homogeneously at pH=9 and 10, in the meanwhile, if TMAH was used, the added amount would be 0.75vol% in which the pH is in range of 11-12.