Sintered Reaction Bonded Silicon Parts by Microwave Nitridation Combined with Gas-Pressure Sintering

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

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/3142· OSTI ID:3142

Kiggans, J O ^[1]; Mikijelj, B; Tiegs, T N

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1. ORNL

The cooperative project was a joint development program between Ceradyne and Oak Ridge National Laboratory through Lockheed Martin Energy Research (LMER). Cooperative work was of benefit to both parties. ORNL was able to assess the effect of the microwave nitridation process coupled with gas-pressure sintering for fabrication of parts for advanced diesel engines. Ceradyne gained access to gelcasting expertise and microwave facilities and experience for the nitridation of SRBSN materials. The broad objective of the CRADA between Ceradyne and OIWL was to (1) examine the applicability of the gelcasting technology to fabricate parts from SRBSN, and (2) to assess the effect of the microwave nitridation of silicon process coupled with gas-pressure sintering for fabrication of parts for advanced diesel engines. The following conclusions can be made from the work performed under the CRADA: (1) Gelcasting is a viable method to fabricate SRBSN parts using Ceradyne Si mixtures. However, the technique requires further development prior to being put into commercial use. (2) Microwave heating can be utilized to nitride multiple SRBSN parts. Scale-up of the process to fabricate several kilograms of material (up to 6 kg) per furnace run 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: 3142
• Report Number(s): ORNL/M-6663; C/ORNL97-0471; C/ORNL97-0471
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
DIESEL ENGINES
FABRICATION
FURNACES
MICROWAVE HEATING
MIXTURES
NITRIDATION
NITRIDES
ORNL
SILICON
SINTERING