Si3N4 and Si3N4-SiC particulate composite ceramics

Y. S. Song, D. O'Sullivan, S. Hampshire

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Studies of pressureless sintering of Si3N4 based matrices and Si3N4-SiC composites in the Y-Si-Al-O-N and Hf-Y-Si-Al-O-N additive systems have been carried out. Mechanical testing indicated that matrices had higher hardness and higher flexural strength than composites. Composites had higher fracture toughness than matrices. The main toughening mechanisms are thought to be crack deflection and microcracking. Effective improvements in fracture toughness can be achieved by coarser SiC particles due to the fact that coarser dispersions enhance the amplitude of crack deflection and produce a greater number of microcracks. Using HfO2 as a sintering aid had little effect on densification but was found to give improved flexural strength especially for composites. It is proposed that this may be due to the formation of HfO2-Y2O3 solid solution which had a beneficial influence on microstructural development in the composites.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)346-353
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Materials Processing Tech.
Volume56
Issue number1-4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 1996

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