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Title: Effect of composition on the processing and properties of sintered reaction-bonded silicon nitride

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/219390· OSTI ID:219390

The type of silicon powder and sintering additive were found to influence the processing and final mechanical properties of sintered reaction bonded silicon nitride. High purity silicon powders produced low {alpha}-Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} content during nitridation. The Si powder type had no apparent effect on densification. More complete nitridation and higher room temperature mechanical properties were observed for the Si powders with higher Fe contents. However, the higher Fe contents resulted in greater high temperature strength degradation and so there was better high temperature strength retention with the higher purity Si. High {alpha}-Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} contents were found after nitridation with {alpha}-Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} seeded materials and with MgO-Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} as the sintering additive. Densification was inhibited by refractory additives, such as Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}-SiO{sub 2}. The highest room temperature strength and fracture toughness values correlated to high nitrided {alpha}-Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} contents. The high temperature strength behavior was similar for all additive types.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-96OR22464
OSTI ID:
219390
Report Number(s):
CONF-960106-5; ON: DE96008095; TRN: AHC29609%%121
Resource Relation:
Conference: 20. annual conference on composites, advanced ceramics, materials and structures-B, Cocoa Beach, FL (United States), 7-11 Jan 1996; Other Information: PBD: [1996]
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English