Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-v5vhk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-30T10:06:25.614Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Tailoring the Intergranular Phases in Silicon Nitride for Improved Toughness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2011

E. Y. Sun
Affiliation:
Metals and Ceramics Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831–6068
P. F. Becher
Affiliation:
Metals and Ceramics Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831–6068
K. P. Plucknett
Affiliation:
Metals and Ceramics Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831–6068
S. B. Waters
Affiliation:
Metals and Ceramics Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831–6068
K. Hirao
Affiliation:
National Industrial Research Institute of Nagoya, Nagoya, Japan
M. E. Brito
Affiliation:
National Industrial Research Institute of Nagoya, Nagoya, Japan
Get access

Abstract

Intergranular glass phases can have a significant influence on the fracture resistance (R-curve behavior) of silicon nitride ceramics and appears to be related to the debonding of the β-Si3N4/oxynitride-glass interfaces. Applying the results from β-Si3N4-whisker/oxynitride-glass model systems, self-reinforced silicon nitrides with different sintering additive ratios were investigated. Silicon nitrides sintered with a lower Al2O3:Y2O3 additive ratio exhibited higher steady-state fracture toughness together with a steeply-rising R-curve. Analytical electron microscopy studies suggested that the different fracture behavior is related to the Al content in the SiAlON growth band on the elongated grains, which could result in differences in interfacial bonding structures between the grains and the intergranular glass.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1997

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Wotting, G. and Ziegler, G., Ceramics Int., 10, 18 (1984).Google Scholar
2. Tajima, Y., in Silicon Nitride Ceramics - Scientific and Technological Advances, edited by Chen, I. W., Becher, P. F., Mitomo, M., Petzow, G. and Yen, T. S. (MRS Proc. Vol. 287, Pittsburgh, PA, 1993) pp. 189196.Google Scholar
3. Becher, P. F., Sun, E. Y., Hsueh, K. H., Alexander, K. B., Hwang, S. L., Waters, S. B. and Westmoreland, C. G., Acta Mater., 44, 3881 (1996).Google Scholar
4. Sun, E. Y., Becher, P. F., Hwang, S. L., Waters, S. B., Pharr, G. M., and Tsui, T. Y., J. Non-Cryst. Solids, in press.Google Scholar
5. Hirao, K., Hagaoka, T., Brito, M. E., and Kanzaki, S., J. Am. Ceram. Soc, 78, 1687 (1995).Google Scholar
6. Hirao, K., Tsuge, A., Brito, M. E., and Kanzaki, S., J. Am. Ceram. Soc. Jpn., 101, 1051 (1993).Google Scholar
7. Becher, P. F., Hsueh, C. H., Alexander, K. B., and Sun, E. Y., J. Am. Ceram. Soc, 79, 298 (1996).Google Scholar