Thermal Conductivities of β-SiAlONs by Mechanically Activated Combustion Synthesis

Abstract

–sialons (Si6-zAlzOzN8-z, z=3) synthesized by mechanically activated combustion synthesis (MA-CS) at a low N2 pressure of 1 MPa, were sintered by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) and thermal conductivity was measured at room temperatures. Specimens were fully densified at 1600oC for 10 mins. and showed only –sialon phases confirmed by x-ray diffraction patterns though un-reacted Si was present as impurities after MA-CS. Thermal conductivities increased with sintering temperature and had a maximum value 5.49 W m-1 K-1 for specimens sintered at 1700oC.