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U.S. Department of Energy
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Sintered reaction-bonded silicon nitride by microwave heating

Conference ·
OSTI ID:7187643

Sintered silicon nitride has many desired properties; however, for most applications these materials are too expensive to compete with metal parts. Sintered fraction-bonded silicon nitride (SRBSN) is more economical, with raw material costs <27% 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 (M) heating reduces the reaction times and is performed in a one-step process, thereby simplifying the operation. The flexural strength of the M-SRBSN is equivalent to the strength of some materials made from higher-cost powders. Thus, these materials maybe appropriate for a number of applications.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
OSTI ID:
7187643
Report Number(s):
CONF-921206-8; ON: DE93005753
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English