Abstract
The microstructure of silicon nitride hot-pressed with a magnesium oxide additive has been studied by transmission electron microscopy. This includes material at various stages in a hot-pressing process: the initial (∼ 90%α) silicon nitride powder; specimens partially densified and partially transformed from α-silicon “nitride” (Si11.5N15O0.5) to β-silicon nitride (Si3N4); and almost fully dense and fully transformed β-Si3N4. The observations substantiate a solid/liquid/solid transformation mechanism, whereby Si and N are transported from α grains through a silicate liquid phase to nucleation sites for β at α/liquid interfaces or to β grains nucleated homogeneously in the liquid phase.
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Drew, P., Lewis, M.H. The microstructures of silicon nitride ceramics during hot-pressing transformations. J Mater Sci 9, 261–269 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00550950
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00550950