Some distinctive features of structure formation in materials based on sintered silicon nitride

Special features of formation of the microstructure and phase composition of sintered materials based on Si₃N₄ and α-sialons synthesized in the Si - Y - Al - O - N system by the method of compressive and microwave sintering are described. It is concluded that the morphology of the initial Si₃N₄ powders, the phase composition of the initial mixture, and the sintering technology of the ceramics in the decisive stage determine its microstructure, including the processes of self-reinforcement by β-Si₃N₄ crystals, the phase composition, and the physicomechanical characteristics. Translated from Ogneupory i Tekhnicheskaya Keramika, No. 7, pp. 28 – 31, July, 2000.