Effect of Al₂O₃ Addition on the Hardness of Si₃N₄ Ceramics

Abstract

MgF₂/Al₂O₃ composite sintering aids and ZrO₂ reinforcing phases were employed to enhance the mechanical properties of Si₃N₄ ceramics. Si₃N₄ ceramics were synthesized via pressureless sintering at 1 620–1 640 °C for 3 hours. This study comprehensively investigated the impact of the composite sintering aids and the sintering temperature on the mechanical properties, phase transformation and microstructure. The Si₃N₄ ceramics with an optimized α/β phase proportion exhibit a good performance in hardness and strength. These ceramics were sintered at 1 630 °C. The density, hardness and bending strength are 93.30%, 16.64 (± 0.38) GPa, and 441.26 (± 34.46) MPa.

Keywords

silicon nitride / Al₂O₃-MgF₂ sintering aids / phase transition / mechanical properties

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