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

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:7040280

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: DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 7040280
• Report Number(s): CONF-920448-7; ON: DE92019285
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360201* -- Ceramics
Cermets
&amp; Refractories-- Preparation &amp; Fabrication
360203 -- Ceramics
Cermets
&amp; Refractories-- Mechanical Properties
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COST
DENSITY
ELEMENTS
FABRICATION
FLEXURAL STRENGTH
FRACTURE PROPERTIES
HARDNESS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
NITRIDATION
NITRIDES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PNICTIDES
SEMIMETALS
SILICON
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON NITRIDES
SINTERING
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE