Thermal and electrical conductivity, creep resistance and oxidation resistance of Si₃N₄/SiC composites have been improved by forming three-dimensional network structure of SiC particles.

In this study, the network structure of low thermal conductivity ZrO₂ particles and micropores was applied to stainless steel in place of sprayed coating of ZrO₂ ceramics for improving the heat insulation.

The network structure of ZrO₂ particles was formed by sintering spherical coarse stainless steel powder surrounded by the mixture of ZrO₂ particles and fine stainless steel powder.

Thermal conductivity and bending strength of samples were estimated. Furthermore, effects of dispersion morphology of ZrO₂ particles and the cell size of the network on thermal conductivity were predicted by "m-scope" (software for predicting mechanical and thermophysical properties of ).

The results indicate that:

1. Formation of the network structure of both 20vol.% ZrO₂ particles and pores doubled the heat insulation of stainless steel.
2. In comparison with random dispersion, the network structure of 20vol.%ZrO₂ particles improved the heat insulation by 10%, and in addition to that, 7.5vol.%pores improved the heat insulation by 30%.
3. As a result of the simulation of thermal conductivity, it was predicted that the network structure of ZrO₂ particles and its larger cell size are effective for improving the heat insulation of stainless steel, which was in agreement with experimental results.

   �@