Microwave Nitridation of Sintered Reaction Bonded Silicon Parts for Natural Gas Fueled Diesel Engines

Technical Report · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1999

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/3140· OSTI ID:3140

Edler, J ^[1]; Kiggans, J O; Suman, A W; Tiegs, T N

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1. ORNL

This cooperative project was a joint development program between Eaton Corporation and Lockheed Martin Energy Research (LMER). Cooperative work was of benefit to both parties. ORNL was able to assess up-scale of the microwave nitridation process using a more intricate-shaped part designed for application in advanced diesel engines. Eaton Corporation mined access to microwave facilities and expertise for the nitridation of SRBSN materials. The broad objective of the CRADA established with Eaton Corporation and ORNL was to develop cost-effective silicon nitride ceramics compared to the current materials available. The following conclusions can be made from the work performed under the CRADA: (1) Demonstrated that the binder burnout step can be incorporated into the SRBSN processing in the microwave furnace. (2) Scale-up of the microwave nitridation process using Eaton Corporation parts showed that the nitridation weight gains were essentially identical to those obtained by conventional heating. (3) Combined nitridation and sintering processes using silicon nitride beads as packing powders results in degradation of the mechanical properties. (4) Gelcasting of silicon nitride materials using Eaton Si mixtures was demonstrated.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Heavy Vehicle Technologies (EE-33) (US)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-96OR22464
• OSTI ID: 3140
• Report Number(s): ORNL/M-6664; C/ORNL97-0465; C/ORNL97-0465
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
DIESEL ENGINES
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
NATURAL GAS
NITRIDATION
SILICON
SILICON NITRIDES