Effect of Silicon Activity on Liquid‐Phase Sintering of Nitrogen Ceramics

Abstract

Volatilization resulting from the thermal decomposition of Si3N4 causes the large weight loss and desintering phenomenon observed during pressureless sintering of Si3N4‐5% MgO and sialon (z =2)‐5% MgO. The addition of a few weight percent of Si to the powder suppresses this volatilazation and helps to achieve fully dense Si3N4 components.