Ceramic materials reinforced with single-wall carbon nanotubes as electrical conductors

US6875374B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Guodong Zhan · Spring, US
• Joshua D. Kuntz · Livermore, US
• Amiya K. Mukherjee · Davis, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 26, 2003
• Grant date: Apr 5, 2005
• Expiry date: Mar 13, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S977/776
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Composite materials formed of a matrix of fused ceramic grains with single-wall carbon nanotubes dispersed throughout the matrix and a high relative density, notably that achieved by electric field-assisted sintering, demonstrate unusually high electrical conductivity in combination with high-performance mechanical properties including high fracture toughness. This combination of electrical and mechanical properties makes these composites useful as electrical conductors in applications where high-performance materials are needed due to exposure to extreme conditions such as high temperatures and mechanical stresses.