Papers by Keyword: Rare Earth Cation

Abstract: Oxynitirde glasses are found at triple point junctions and as intergranular films in silicon nitride based ceramics. The glass chemistry, particularly the content of modifyer,usually Y or a rare earth (RE) ion, and the volume fractions of these oxynitride glass phases within the ceramic control the properties of silicon nitride, in particular, creep at high temperature. It is known that, as nitrogen substitutes for oxygen in silicate and aluminosilicate glass networks, increases are observed in glass transition and softening temperatures, viscosities (by two to three orders of magnitude), elastic moduli and microhardness. If changes are made to the RE:Si:Al ratios or different rare earth cation are substituted, properties such as viscosity can be increased by a further two to three orders of magnitude. These effects have implications for the high temperature properties of silicon nitride based ceramics, especially creep resistance. This paper provides an overview of oxynitride glasses and outlines the effect of composition on properties such as glass transition temperature and viscosity and discusses the effects on high temperature behaviour of silicon nitride ceramics.

Abstract: M-Si-Al-O-N glasses (where M = Y or rare earth cation) are intergranular phases in silicon nitride based ceramics in which the composition and volume fraction of these oxynitride glass phases determine the properties of the material, in particular, high temperature mechanical behaviour. Investigations on oxynitride glass formation and properties have shown that nitrogen increases the glass transition and softening temperatures, viscosity, elastic modulus and hardness. By changing the cation ratios or the type of rare earth cation incorporated, properties such as viscosity can be increased further. This paper provides an overview of oxynitride glasses and outlines the effect of composition on properties such as glass transition temperature and viscosity. These effects have important implications for silicon nitride based ceramics where amorphous intergranular films control high temperature properties such as creep resistance.