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Preparation and evaluation of silicon nitride matrices for silicon nitride-SiC fiber composites. M. S. Thesis Final Technical Report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5651095

Continuous silicon carbide (SiC) fiber was added to three types of silicon nitride (Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}) matrices. Efforts were aimed at producing a dense Si3N4 matrix from reaction-bonded silicon nitride (RBSN) by hot-isostatic-pressing (HIP) and pressureless sintering, and from Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} powder by hot-pressing. The sintering additives utilized were chosen to allow for densification, while not causing severe degradation of the fiber. The ceramic microstructures were evaluated using scanning optical microscopy. Vickers indentation was used to determine the microhardness and fracture toughness values of the matrices. The RBSN matrices in this study did not reach more than 80 percent of theoretical density after sintering at various temperatures, pressures, and additive levels. Hot-pressing Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} powder produced the highest density matrices; hardness and toughness values were within an order of magnitude of the best literature values. The best sintering aid composition chosen included Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}, SiO{sub 2}, and Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} or AlN. Photomicrographs demonstrate a significant reduction of fiber attack by this additive composition.

Research Organization:
Alfred Univ., NY (USA)
OSTI ID:
5651095
Report Number(s):
N-89-23678; NASA-CR--184798; NAS--1.26:184798
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English