PRODUCTION OF HIGHLY TOUGH SILICON NITRIDE SINTERED COMPACT

摘要

PURPOSE:To prevent micro-cracks from forming in a silicon nitride sintered compact and remarkably improve the toughness value. CONSTITUTION:Si3N4 powder containing oxide-based sintering assistant powder or Si3N4 powder containing the oxide-based superconducting sintering assistant powder and Cr3C2 powder is formed and the resultant compact is then pressed and sintered to provide a sintered compact. In the process, the compact is cooled within the temperature region from the maximum sintering temperature to 1200 deg.C at <=10 deg.C/min rate.