Abstract
Studies have shown that seeding allows for greater control of the microstructure of self-reinforced beta-silicon nitride based ceramics, which when combined with tailoring of the sintering additives can results in significant improvements in fracture toughness and strength. Similar behavior was noted in alpha-SiAlONs. In beta-Si3N4 ceramics in which alumina serves as one of the additives, the larger elongated reinforcing grains result from the epitaxial deposition of Si6-zAlzOzN8-z layers on the Si3N4 core. Structural models show that the bond strength of the interface between the SiAlON and the amorphous intergranular film increases as the Al and O contents of the SiAlON increase. This is consistent with experiments that revealed interfacial debonding was promoted when the z-value of the SiAlON epitaxial layer was reduced. Compositional tailoring that leads to enhanced interfacial debonding and an increase in the fracture toughness.
For a number of applications, creep resistance is also required in these ceramics. Recent results have been obtained in self-reinforced silicon nitride ceramics where controlled increases in the fraction of larger elongated reinforeing grains were found to reduce the creep rates. However, viscous flow in the amorphous intergranular films (IGF) in silicon nitride-based ceramics significantly impact their creep behavior and mechanical reliability at elevated temperatures. Recent studies of bulk Si-based oxynitride glasses have shown that increasing the nitrogen to oxygen (N∶O), rare earth (RE): aluminum (Al) ratios of the glass and using smaller RE ions raise the glass viscosities. Creep models suggest that this will improve the creep resistance of the silicon nitride ceramics, which is supported by the results of creep studies. The above findings are providing a framework for designing the next generation of silicon nitride-based ceramics by microstructural and compositional tailoring.
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Becher, P.F., Painter, G.S., Lin, H.T., Ferber, M.K. (2005). Tailoring the Composition of Self-Reinforced Silicon Nitride Ceramics to Enhance Mechanical Behavior. In: Bradt, R.C., Munz, D., Sakai, M., White, K.W. (eds) Fracture Mechanics of Ceramics. Fracture Mechanics of Ceramics, vol 14. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-28920-5_26
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