Effect of Calcining Temperature of Si₃N₄ Poly-Hollow Microspheres on the Properties of the Porous Si₃N₄ Ceramics Prepared by Aqueous Gelcasting

Abstract:

Highly porous Si₃N₄ ceramics were prepared by aqueous gelcasting using Si₃N₄ poly-hollow microspheres as pore-forming agent and the effect of calcining temperature of Si₃N₄ poly-hollow microspheres on their properties was investigated. With the increase of the calcining temperature, the surfaces of the Si₃N₄ poly-hollow microspheres become coarser and coarser due to more rod-like β-Si₃N₄ grains appearing on their surfaces. Only the β-Si₃N₄ phase is observed in the porous Si₃N₄ ceramics regardless of the calcining temperature. The Si₃N₄ poly-hollow microspheres distribute uniformly in the Si₃N₄ green samples and porous Si₃N₄ ceramics, and they contact with each other, which could restrict the shrinkage, warpage and cracking of the final material. With the increase of the calcining temperature, the porosity of the porous Si₃N₄ ceramics increases, while shrinkage, flexural strength and fracture toughness decrease.

• Periodical: Advances in Science and Technology (Volume 88)
• Pages: 1-8
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AST.88.1
• Online since: October 2014
• Authors: Jia Min Wu*, Xiao Yan Zhang, Jia Lu Li, Jin Long Yang
• Keywords: Aqueous Gelcasting, Calcining Temperature, Mechanical Property, Porous Si₃N₄ Ceramics, Si₃N₄ Poly-Hollow Microspheres

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