Papers by Author: Štefánia Lojanová

Abstract: Microstructure and mechanical properties of Si3N4 and Si3N4 + SiC nanocomposites sintered with rare-earth oxide additives (La2O3, Y2O3, Yb2O3 and Lu2O3) have been investigated. The composites exhibited smaller grain diameter compared to that of monolithic materials. The aspect ratio of β-Si3N4 grains increased with a decreasing ionic radius of rare-earth elements in the Si3N4 monoliths as well as in the Si3N4-SiC nanocomposites. The hardness of both systems increased with a decreasing ionic radius of rare-earth element. The fracture toughness of the materials with coarser microstructure and higher aspect ratio was higher due to the more frequent toughening mechanisms. No significant difference between strength values of monoliths and composites was observed and the strength in the composites was determined mainly by the present processing flaws. Significantly improved creep resistance was observed in the case of composites and for materials with smaller ionic radius of RE3+.

Abstract: Fracture toughness of hot-pressed silicon nitride and Si3N4+SiC nanocomposites prepared with different rare-earth oxides (La2O3, Sm2O3, Y2O3, Yb2O3, Lu2O3) sintering additives have been investigated by Chevron Notched Beam, Indentation Strength and Indentation Fracture techniques. The fracture toughness values of composites were lower due to the finer microstructures and the lack of toughening mechanisms. In the Si3N4 with higher aspect ratio (Lu or Yb additives) crack deflection occurred more frequently compared to the Si3N4 doped with La or Y, which was responsible for the higher fracture toughness.

Abstract: Si3N4/SiC nanocomposite material with yttria as sintering additive was prepared by hot pressing method. SiC nanoinclusions were produced by in situ reaction between SiO2 and C during the sintering process. The homogenous microstructure of hot pressed samples contained fine Si3N4 grains with average diameter of 200 nm. The post-sintering treatment at 1750°C for 26 and 70 hours significantly changed the microstructure of Si3N4/SiC composites. The difference between the average grain size of hot pressed sample and sample treated for 70 hours is approx. 300 %. In sake of this fact the mechanical properties (KIC, HV1) were not changed significantly. The largest differences between the mechanical properties of hot pressed and annealed samples were only 8 %.