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The microstructures of silicon nitride/alumina ceramics

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Abstract

The microstructures of materials formed by sintering or hot-pressing mixtures of silicon nitride and alumina have been studied by transmission electron microscopy. The probable mechanism of transformation of the reactants to form β′-silicon aluminium oxynitride (β′-sialon) via a liquid phase sintering process, which is analogous to a similar transformation in hot-pressed silicon nitride containing a magnesia additive, is proposed. The origin and crystal symmetry of an unknown second phase is discussed. The residual quantity of this phase, known as the X-phase, is controlled mainly by the silica impurity content of the initial silicon nitride powder.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK

    P. Drew & M. H. Lewis

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  1. P. Drew
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  2. M. H. Lewis
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Drew, P., Lewis, M.H. The microstructures of silicon nitride/alumina ceramics. J Mater Sci 9, 1833–1838 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00541754

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00541754

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