The Influence of the Sintering Additive MgO and the Sintering Temperature on Mechanical Properties of β-Sialon Ceramics.

β-SiaIon ceramics were prepared by reactive hot pressing sintering method with α-Si₃N₄ , α-AI₂0₃, and sintering additive MgO as raw materials. Effect of sintering additive MgO and the sintering temperature on mechanical property and morphology were systematically studied. The results indicate thai the sintering additives MgO grealh improve β-Sialon ceramics density and reduce the sintering temperature. Along with the sintering temperature increasing, the bending strength and the fracture toughness of β-Sialon ceramics increased before they are lower. At the sintering temperature of 1 600 °C , the preparation of β-Sialon ceramics obtained the highest bending strength and fracture toughness, the value(423 MPa, 2.73 MPa ∙ m^½ ) , combined closely. The principal fracture mode of composites is inlergranular fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]