The effect of granule compaction procedures on defect structure, fracture strength and thermal conductivity was examined for AlN ceramics using the same starting granules. Here, changing the order of the cold isostatic pressing and the de-waxing procedure was performed, which changed the compaction behavior of the granule bed. Structural examination of the green and sintered bodies showed that the change in granule strength strongly influenced the size and concentration of the granule-related defects in sintered bodies. A large difference in the fracture strength associated with the change in granule strength was noted, and was attributed to the differences between the defect structures in the sintered bodies. On the other hand, the thermal conductivity remained almost constant (>150W/mK).

Effects of Granule Compaction Procedures on Defect Structure, Fracture Strength and Thermal Conductivity of AlN Ceramics. H.Abe, K.Sato, M.Naito, K.Nogi, T.Hotta, J.Tatami, K.Komeya: Powder Technology, 2005, 159[3], 155-60