Microstructure of Silicon Nitride Fibers at Elevated Temperatures

Abstract

The composition and microstructure of silicon nitride fibers after heat-treatment at elevated temperatures were investigated by XRD, NMR, XPS, SEM and TEM analyses. The results show that as-received fibers consisted of amorphous silicon nitride, and a little Si-C-O structure. During heat-treatment process, α-Si3N4 and β-Si3N4 formed resulting from the crystallization of amorphous silicon nitride, and the formation of β-SiC derived from the decomposition of Si-C-O structure. As heat-treated temperature increased from 1400oC to 1600oC, the above phenomenon become obvious, indicating that the fiber would possess high serving life with serving temperature lower than 1400oC. The tensile strength of fibers stays stable when heat-treated temperature was below 1200oC, while the strength retention of fibers sharply decreased to 50% after heat-treatment at 1400°C.