Abstract
The microstructural evolution in Si3N4 ceramics is analysed by studies of the growth of isolated Si3N4 grains dispersed in oxinitride glasses as well as model experiments of sintered materials. The experiments with the supersaturated oxynitride glasses offer the possibility to study the grain growth in the absence of steric hindrance and show the influence of the additive composition on the development of the grain morphology. The differences in grain growth behaviour is discussed with respect to the cation radius of the glass forming rare earth oxides. Investigations of polycrystalline Si3N4 ceramics show that the grain size and morphology are controlled by the properties of the Si3N4 starting powder, the sintering temperature and the additives. Different Si3N4 powders and various additive combinations were used in order to explore the dominant growth mechanisms.
The investigated microstructures are also related to strength as well as toughness measurements at room temperature. It is shown that fine-grained gas pressure sintered materials can exhibit strength values > 1100 MPa. Although strength decreases with increasing grain size, a higher fracture toughness and a significant improvement in reliability could be achieved by controlled grain growth. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that coarse grained ceramics exhibit greater thermal shock resistance than do fine-grained ones.
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Hoffmann, M.J. (1994). Analysis of Microstructural Development and Mechanical Properties of Si3N4 Ceramics. In: Hoffmann, M.J., Petzow, G. (eds) Tailoring of Mechanical Properties of Si3N4 Ceramics. NATO ASI Series, vol 276. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0992-5_4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0992-5_4
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