HIGH STRENGTH SI3N4 COMPOSITE CONTAINING SIC WHISKERS AND METHOD OF PRODUCING THE SAME

摘要

A high strength Si3N4 composite composed of a sintered body consisting mainly of Si3N4 in which SiC whiskers with a small aspect ratio, preferably an average aspect ratio of 15 to 100, is contained in the sintered body and thereby a considerable improvements can be obtained in the mechanical properties, such as strength, toughness and mechanical shock resistance. The composite is produced by mixing the SiC whiskers with Si3N4 powder and then sintering the resulting mixture by a hot isostatic pressing without using a sintering aid.