Mechanical Properties of α- and β-SiAlON Composite Ceramics Using β-SiAlON Powder

Abstract

β-SiAlON powder was used as a raw powder to fabricate α/β-SiAlON composite ceramics with different rare earth elements. The phases present in the sample fabricated from -SiAlON, α-Si3N4, AlN, and rare earth oxide powders were - and -SiAlONs. The composition was dependent on the chemical composition and firing profile. The sample obtained by adding Yb2O3 had a high -SiAlON content. The /-SiAlON composite ceramics had high densit. Their microstructures depended on the used metal oxides, namely, the addition of Nd2O3 and CaCO3 resulted in the elongation of the -SiAlON grains. The bending strength, fracture toughness, and hardness were influenced by the -SiAlON content, amount of elongated grains, and density of the sample.