Effect of the Amount of the Sintering Additives on the Microstructural Development and the Mechanical Properties of Silicon Nitride with Aligned Whisker Seeds

Abstract

Silicon nitride samples with aligned whisker seeds were prepared with different amounts of yttria and alumina as the sintering additives. Their sintering behaviors and the microstructural developments between 2123 K and 2323 K were examined. The sample with larger amount of the sintering additives showed faster densification and grain growth. Even though addition of the aligned whisker seeds slightly retarded densification of silicon nitride, it improved the flexural strength and the fracture toughness. Both the flexural strength and the fracture toughness of silicon nitride with the aligned whisker seeds were increased as the amount of the sintering additives was increased.