Properties and Microstructure Evolution of Al203-Si Material Fired in Different Atmospheres

A1203-Si composite specimens were prepared using fused corundum, ultra-fine α-A1203 and Si powder as starting materials and resin as binder. Effects of sintering atmospheres on properties, phase composition and microstructure of specimens after firing at 1 500 ℃ were investigated. The results show that： （ 1 ） after .firing in oxidizing or weak oxidizing atmosphere, there is some Si in the specimens and some glass phases containing mullite form on specimen surface, the density and strength at room temperature are relatively high, but hot modulus of rupture and thermal shock resistance are relatively poor; （2） after firing in, weak reducing or reducing atmosphere, Si reacts completely with CO or N2forming whisk-phere, Si reacts completely with CO or N2forming whisk-er-like SiC, granular Si2N20 or 0＇-SiAION, and the er-like SiC, granular Si2N20 or O＇-SiMON, and the thermo-mechanical properties of specimens are enhanced;（3） after firing in nitrogen atmosphere, Si reacts completely with N2, CO or G forming wbisker-like SiC and columnar β-SiA10N crystals, the hot modulus of rupture and thermal shock resistance of specimens are enhanced noticeably.