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Crack healing in silicon nitride due to oxidation

Conference · · Ceramic Engineering and Science Proceedings; (United States)
OSTI ID:6073943

The crack healing behavior of a commercial, MgO-containing, hot pressed Si3N4 was studied as a function of temperature in oxidizing and inert annealing environments. Crack healing occurred at a temperature 800 C or higher due to oxidation regardless of crack size, which ranged from 100 microns (indentation crack) to 1.7 mm (SEPB precrack). The resulting strength and apparent fracture toughness increased at crack healing temperature by 100 percent and 300 percent, respectively. The oxide layer present in the crack plane was found to be highly fatigue resistant, indicating that the oxide is not solely silicate glass, but a mixture of glass, enstatite, and/or cristobalite that was insensitive to fatigue in a room temperature water environment. 20 refs.

OSTI ID:
6073943
Report Number(s):
CONF-910162--
Journal Information:
Ceramic Engineering and Science Proceedings; (United States), Journal Name: Ceramic Engineering and Science Proceedings; (United States) Vol. 12; ISSN 0196-6219; ISSN CESPD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English