Abstract
The influence of hydrogen in a “static” and “flowing” nitriding gas on the mechanism of formation, composition, structure and mechanical properties of reaction-sintered silicon nitride has been investigated. Using previously developed structural and compositional models describing the progressive formation of silicon nitride, it is suggested that hydrogen enables a high partial pressure of silicon monoxide to be maintained at the early stages of nitridation, thus promoting the rapid development of a continuous skeletal network of silicon nitride with resultant high strength. The mechanisms of formation, composition, structure and mechanical properties of silicon nitride formed from one type of silicon compact under a variety of nitriding conditions are compared, and the significance of the nitriding atmosphere in determining properties is demonstrated.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
N. L. Parr, G. F. Martin andE. R. W. May, “Special Ceramics”, edited by P. Popper (Haywood and Co., London 1960) p. 102.
A. F. McLean, Proceedings of the 2nd Army Materials Technology Conference on Ceramics for High Performance Applications, edited by J. J. Burke, A. E. Gorum and R. N. Katz (Brook Hill, Chestnut Hill, Mass, 1974) p. 9.
R. J. Bratton andA. N. Holden,ibid. (1974) p. 37.
D. J. Godfrey, Ceramics for High Performance Applications Conference, Newport, RI, USA (1977) to be published.
D. J. Godfrey andM. W. Lindley,Proc. Brit. Ceram. Soc. 22 (1973) 229.
B. F. Jones andM. W. Lindley,Powder Met. Int. 8 (1976) 32.
Idem, J. Mater. Sci. 11 (1976) 1288.
D. P. Elias andM. W. Lindley,J. Mater. Sci. 11 (1976) 1278.
D. P. Elias, B. F. Jones andM. W. Lindley,Powder Met. Int. 8 (1976) 162.
B. F. Jones andM. W. Lindley,J. Mater. Sci. 11 (1976) 1969.
J. A. Mangels,J. Amer. Ceram. Soc. 58 (1975) 354.
B. F. Jones, K. C. Pitman andM. W. Lindley,J. Mater. Sci. 12 (1977) 563.
Idem, “Nitrogen Ceramics”, edited by F. L. Riley (Noordhoff, Leyden, 1977) p. 561.
B. F. Jones andM. W. Lindley,J. Mater. Sci. 10 (1975) 967.
B. Luxton andM. W. Lindley, Admiralty Marine Technology Establishment (Holton Heath) data — to be published.
M. W. Lindley, K. C. Pitman andB. F. Jones, “Fracture Mechanics of Ceramics”, Vol. 4, edited by R. C. Bradt, D. P. H. Hasselman and F. F. Lange (Plenum Press, New York, 1978) p. 921.
B. F. Jones andM. W. Lindley, Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Science of Ceramics (The British Ceramic Society, Stoke-on-Trent, 1976) p. 123.
Idem, J. Mater. Sci. 11 (1976) 191.
Idem, Admiralty Marine Technology Establishment (Holton Heath) Unpublished data.
Idem, as for [13] p. 577.
P. Grieveson andC. B. Alcock; “Special Ceramics”, edited by P. Popper (British Ceramic Research Association, Stoke-on-Trent, 1960) p. 183.
S. S. Lin,J. Amer. Ceram. Soc. 58 (1975) 271.
A. Atkinson, A. J. Moulson andE. W. Roberts,J. Amer. Ceram. Soc. 59 (1976) 285.
R. B. Guthrie andF. L. Riley,Proc. Brit. Ceram. Soc. 22 (1973) 275.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lindley, M.W., Elias, D.P., Jones, B.F. et al. The influence of hydrogen in the nitriding gas on the strength, structure and composition of reaction-sintered silicon nitride. J Mater Sci 14, 70–85 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01028330
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01028330