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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
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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

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References

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