Influence of SiAlON addition on the microstructure development of hot-pressed ZrB2–SiC composites

The impact of SiAlON on densification behavior and microstructure of the ZrB₂-SiC composite was investigated. ZrB₂, SiC, and SiAlON were used as the initial materials to produce ZrB₂-SiC composite by hot pressing at 1900 °C. A fully dense composite was obtained having ~99.9% relative density. High-resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) assessment verified the in-situ formation of ZrC, and the presence of residual carbon, SiAlON, and ZrB₂ and SiC phases in the as-sintered ceramic. Furthermore, the thermodynamic calculations confirmed the results attained by HRXRD. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were utilized for the microstructural investigation. SEM fractographs indicated the impact of SiAlON on the hindering of grain growth and the formation of flaky phases (graphitized carbon or solidified liquid phase) at the grain boundaries. TEM studies revealed the presence of a transparent glassy phase at the particle interfaces. A significant impact of liquid phase sintering was also affirmed in the clean interfaces.     

A comparative study of silicon nitride and SiAlON ceramics against E. coli

In recent decades, due to some limitations from alumina (Al₂O₃) and zirconia (ZrO₂), silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) has been investigated as a novel bioceramic material, mainly in situations where a bone replacement is required. Si₃N₄ ceramics and its derivative form, SiAlON, possess advantages in orthopedics due to their mechanical properties and biologically acceptable chemistry, which accelerates bone repair. However, biological applications require additional properties, enabling stronger chemical bonding to the surrounding tissue for better fixation and the prevention of bacteria biofilm formation. Therefore, two commercial Si₃N₄ and SiAlON ceramics were investigated in this study and compared to each other according to their material properties (like wetting angles and surface chemistry) and their antibacterial behaviors using E. coli. Results provided evidence of a 15% reduction in E. coli colonization after just 24 h on Si₃N₄ compared to SiAlON which is impressive considering no antibiotics were used. Further, a mechanism of action is provided. In this manner, this study provides evidence that Si₃N₄ should be further studied for a wide range of antibacterial orthopedic, or other suitable biomaterial applications.     

Al-Si复合Al_2O_3-β-SiAlON-C材料加热过程中性能、相组成和显微结构的变化

以电熔白刚玉(≤0.5、≤0.088和≤0.045 mm)、熔融石英(≤0.5 mm)、鳞片石墨(≤0.15 mm)、矾土基β-SiAlON(≤0.088 mm)、Al粉(≤0.074 mm)和Si粉(≤0.074 mm)为主要原料,以热固性酚醛树脂为结合剂,制成25 mm×25 mm×125 mm的Al-Si复合Al2O3-β-SiAlON-C试样,经200℃固化24 h后,分别在800、1 000、1 200、1 400和1 600℃下埋炭(石墨)保温3 h,冷却后测定其体积密度、显气孔率、常温耐压强度、常温抗折强度、高温抗折强度和抗热震性,并进行XRD和SEM分析.结果表明:1)随着热处理温度的升高,Al-Si复合Al2O3-β-siAlON-C试样的显气孔率均下降,体积密度、常温耐压强度、常温抗折强度、高温抗折强度、热震后残余抗折强度均逐渐提高,但其抗折强度保持率在经1 000℃热处理后最高,随后逐渐降低;2)在高温还原气氛的热处理过程中,试样中的Al、Si与C(CO)或N2反应,原位生成了AlN、β-SiC、Al4C3和β-SiAlON等非氧化物,对试样具有填充气孔及增强增韧的作用.     

Cytocompatibility property evaluation of gas pressure sintered SiAlON-SiC composites with L929 fibroblast cells and Saos-2 osteoblast-like cells

Although the oxide ceramics have widely been investigated for their biocompatibility, non-oxide ceramics, such as SiAlON and SiC are yet to be explored in detail. Lack of understanding of the biocompatibility restricts the use of these ceramics in clinical trials. It is hence, essential to carry out proper and thorough study to assess cell adhesion, cytocompatibility and cell viability on the non-oxide ceramics for the potential applications. In this perspective, the present research work reports the cytocompatibility of gas pressure sintered SiAlON monolith and SiAlON-SiC composites with varying amount of SiC, using connective tissue cells (L929) and bone cells (Saos-2). The quantification of cell viability using MTT assay reveals the non-cytotoxic response. The cell viability has been found to be cell type dependent. An attempt has been made to discuss the cytocompatibility of the developed composites in the light of SiC content and type of sinter additives.     

Effect of Y2O3 on the physical properties and biocompatibility of β–SiAlON ceramics

To investigate the effects of Y₂O₃ on the physical properties and biocompatibility of β–SiAlON ceramics, β–SiAlON ceramics were prepared with Al, Si, and α–Al₂O₃ powders using a direct nitriding technique. As a sintering additive, Y₂O₃ helps lower the sintering temperature and forms β–SiAlON ceramics. In this study, the physical and biological properties of the prepared ceramics were investigated to evaluate their use as bone-repairing material. Experiments revealed that the main crystal composition of the sample was Si₄Al₂O₂N₆, containing small amount of additional phases Y₃Al₅O₁₂ with increasing content of Y₂O₃. The porosity and compressive strength initially decrease and then increase to their initial values, whereas the bulk density exhibits the opposite trend with an increased proportion of Y₂O₃. The proliferation of osteoblastic and angiogenic cells demonstrates that β–SiAlON and Y₃Al₅O₁₂ have good biocompatibility; however, the sample porosity has a slight effect on the cell proliferation rate. This implies that in human tissues, bone-repairing speed can be adjusted by modifying the sample porosity or material surface roughness. Therefore, Y₂O₃ can be added to β–SiAlON ceramics to regulate their microstructure, physical properties, and biological properties for tissue engineering applications.     

Electronic Structure and Bulk Properties of β-SiAlONs

A series of β-SiAlONs with the composition Si_{6– z} Al _z O _z N_{8– z} ( z = 0.5–4) is prepared by hot isostatic pressing. Evaluated bulk moduli are compared with those calculated using the first-principles method. Theoretical values are derived from the fit of the energy versus volume dependence. In total-energy calculations full relaxation of all atomic positions within a supercell is performed. Both experimental and theoretical bulk moduli compare reasonably well and show the decrease in value from ∼240 GPa ( z = 0) to ∼170 GPa ( z = 4). For the O/N substitutions no preferential occupation of the lattice N sites is observed. Both Al/Si and O/N substitutions cause the local expansion of the structure. In the relaxed structures a sphere of decreased interatomic distances surrounds each substitution site, thus compensating for effect of the local expansion. The increasing Al–O/Si–N substitution rate causes a smooth change of the shape and position of the energy bands. The band gap between occupied and unoccupied states is getting narrower, thus decreasing the isolating properties of the material.     

Formation of β-Silicon Nitride Crystals from (Si,Al,Mg,Y)(O,N) Liquid: I, Phase, Composition, and Shape Evolutions

Precipitation, growth, and coarsening of Si₃N₄ crystals in (Si,Al,Mg,Y)(O,N) liquids at 1680°C has been studied. The initial nucleation of β-Si₃N₄ occurs mostly on α-Si₃N₄ because of the very high supersaturation of the liquid. After a brief period of growth, the crystals then undergo accelerated coarsening, decreasing the crystal concentration by almost 100 times with little change in the total crystal volume. Meanwhile, the crystals gradually transform from β-Si₃N₄, by substituting Si-N with Al-O, to β'-SiAlON of various compositions. The evolution of aspect ratio strongly depends on the Si/(Al,Mg,Y) ratio, which is rationalized by cation segregation to the interface driven by the acidity-basicity differential between the liquid and the crystal.     

Improvement of Mechanical Properties and Corrosion Resistance of Porous β-SiAlON Ceramics by Low Y2O3 Additions

Addition of Y₂O₃ as a sintering additive to porous β-SiAlON (Si_{6− z} Al _z O _z N_{8− z} , z = 0.5) ceramics has been investigated for improved mechanical properties. Porous SiAlON ceramics with 0.05–0.15 wt% (500–1500 wppm) Y₂O₃ were fabricated by pressureless sintering at temperatures of 1700°, 1800°, and 1850°C. The densification, microstructure, and mechanical properties were compared with those of Y₂O₃-free ceramics of the same chemical composition. Although this level of Y₂O₃ addition did not change the phase formation and grain size, the grain bonding appeared to be promoted, and the densification to be enhanced. There was a significant increase in the flexural strength of the SiAlON ceramics relative to the Y₂O₃-free counterpart. After exposure in 1 M hydrochloric acid solution at 70°C for 120 h, no remarkable weight loss and degradation of the mechanical properties (flexural and compression strength) was observed, which was attributed to the limited grain boundary phase, and with the minor Y₂O₃ addition the supposed formation of Y-α-SiAlON.     

α-SiAlON/SiCnp复合材料在室温和高温下的显微结构与力学性能

本文采用机械混合Ｓｉ３Ｎ４，ＡｌＮ，Ａｌ２Ｏ３，Ｄｙ２Ｏ３和纳米β－ＳｉＣ粉料，通过热压烧结，制备了１０ｗｔ％纳米ＳｉＣ颗粒增强α－ＳｉＡｌＯＮ复合材料。力学性能测试表明，在室温时复合材料的维氏硬度，压痕断裂韧性和三点弯曲强度比单相α－ＳｉＡｌＯＮ略高。但复合材料的三点弯曲强度可以保持到１０００℃，其值为这时单相α－ＳｉＡｌＯＮ的两倍。断口形貌表明复合材料的晶粒尺寸比单相α－ＳｉＡｌＯＮ的小，这两种材料的室温断裂方式均以穿晶断裂为主。研究表明，低粘度的玻璃相是造成单相α－ＳｉＡｌＯＮ高温性能下降的主要原因，而纳米ＳｉＣ的加入可以促使晶界相结晶，从而使复合材料的高温性能维持到较高的温度。     

不同烧结气氛下SiAlON/cBN陶瓷复合材料的性能研究

以Si3N4、Al N、Al2O3和c BN为原材料,采用放电等离子烧结,在氮气、氩气和真空三种不同烧结气氛下制备Si Al ON/c BN陶瓷复合材料.通过XRD、SEM及力学性能评估等手段研究了材料的物相组成、显微组织、体积密度、硬度以及断裂韧性等性能.结果表明:真空气氛下制备的Si Al ON/c BN陶瓷复合材料显微组织相对致密,具有较高的体积密度、硬度和断裂韧性.