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Sintered Reaction-Bonded Silicon Nitride by Microwave Heating

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 February 2011

Terry N. Tiegs,
James O. Kiggans JR. and
Kristin L. Ploetz
Terry N. Tiegs
Affiliation:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, P.O. Box 2008, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-6087
James O. Kiggans JR.
Affiliation:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, P.O. Box 2008, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-6087
Kristin L. Ploetz
Affiliation:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, P.O. Box 2008, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-6087
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Abstract

Sintered silicon nitride has many desired properties, however, for most applications these materials are too expensive to compete with metal parts. Sintered reaction-bonded silicon nitride (SRBSN) is more economical, with raw material costs <27% those of comparable high-purity materials, making it competitive with metal parts. Conventional processing of SRBSN requires long nitridation times and a two-step firing process. Microwave (MW) heating reduces the reaction times and is performed in a one-step process, thereby simplifying the operation. The flexural strength of the MW-SRBSN is equivalent to the strength of some materials made from higher-cost powders. Thus, these materials may be appropriate for a number of applications.

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