Microstructural and Mechanical Properties Changes of Silicon Nitride Based Ceramic Using Post-Sintering Heat Treatment

Abstract:

Si₃N₄ based ceramics are widely researched because of their low density, high hardness, toughness and wear resistance. Post-sintering heat treatments can enhance their properties. Thus, the objective of the present paper was the development of a Si₃N₄ based ceramic, suitable for structural applications, by sintering in nitrogen gas pressure, using AlN, Al₂O₃, and Y₂O₃ as additives and post-sintering heat treatment. The green bodies were fabricated by uniaxial pressing at 80 MPa with subsequent isostatic pressing at 300 MPa. The samples were sintered at 1900°C for 1 h under N₂ gas pressure of 0.1 MPa. Post-sintering heat treatment was performed at 1500°C for 48 h under N₂ gas pressure of 1.0 MPa. From the results, it was observed that after post-sintering heat treatment there was a reduction of α-SiAlON phase and increase of β-Si₃N₄ phase, with consequent changing in grain size, decrease of fracture toughness and increase of the Vickers hardness.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volumes 727-728)
• Pages: 1085-1091
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.727-728.1085
• Online since: August 2012
• Authors: José Vitor C. Souza, O.M.M. Silva, E.A. Raymundo, João Paulo Barros Machado
• Keywords: Si₃N₄, Ceramic Material, Mechanical Property, Physical Properties, Post-Sintering Heat Treatment

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