Cost-effective sintered reaction-bonded silicon nitride (SRBSN) for structural ceramics

Conference · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1992

OSTI ID:10172819

Tiegs, T N; Kiggans, Jr, J O; Ploetz, K L

Sintered silicon nitride has many superior properties; however, for most applications these materials are too expensive to compete with metal parts. Sintered reaction-bonded silicon nitride (SRBSN) is more economical, with raw materials costs <20% those of comparable high- purity materials, making it competitive with metal parts. Conventional processing of SRBSN requires long nitridation times and a two-step firing process. Microwave (MW) heating reduces the reaction times and is performed in a one-step process, thereby simplifying the operation. The mechanical properties of the MW-SRBSN are not equal to those from the higher-cost powders, but are appropriate for a number of applications at lower temperatures and stress levels. At ambient temperature, typical strength, toughness (K{sub Ic} and hardness values are 480 MPa, 4.8 MPa{radical}m, and 14 GPa, respectively.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 10172819
• Report Number(s): CONF-920448--7; ON: DE92019285
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360201
360203
COST
DENSITY
FABRICATION
FLEXURAL STRENGTH
FRACTURE PROPERTIES
HARDNESS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
NITRIDATION
PREPARATION AND FABRICATION
SILICON
SILICON NITRIDES
SINTERING
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE