Microstructure control of α-Sialon ceramics by seeding with α-Sialon particles

• Published in: Journal of materials science Vol. 37; no. 15; pp. 3285 - 3290
• Main Authors: HUANG, Qing-Wei, WANG, Pei-Ling, CHENG, Yi-Bing, YAN, Dong-Sheng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01.08.2002; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Aspect ratio; Building materials. Ceramics. Glasses; Ceramic industries; Ceramic powders; Ceramics; Chemical industry and chemicals; Crystals; Elongation; Exact sciences and technology; Fracture toughness; Grains; Heat treating; Materials science; Microstructure; Seeds; Single crystals; Sintering (powder metallurgy); Structural ceramics; Technical ceramics; Mechanical properties; Experimental study; Single crystal; Powder; Structural ceramic; Alpha form; Fracture toughness; Aluminium Nitrides; Hot pressing; Sintering; Chemical preparation; Silicon Nitrides; Sialon; Crystal nucleation; Manufacturing; Microstructure; Nitrides oxides
• ISSN: 0022-2461; 1573-4803
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1016143319363

A proper powder preparation was used to develop α-Sialon single crystals as seeds. The microstructure and fracture toughness of seed-containing α-Sialon ceramics sintered by hot-pressing were investigated. The specimen without seeding consisted of fine grains and a small amount of coarse grains. Specimens seeded with α-Sialon single crystal particles presented a large amount of elongated α-Sialon grains. The aspect ratio and the amount of elongated α-Sialon grains can be tailored by using different sizes and amounts of the seeds. The fracture toughness of seed-containing α-Sialon ceramics is improved, which is attributed to grain pullout and bridging of elongated grains.