Abstract
Due to its superior resistance to thermal shock, wear and oxidation, and high toughness, Si3N4 ceramics are expected to be used in industrial applications. However, before these Si3N4 ceramics can become better established on the market, their fracture strength, fracture toughness characteristics and reliabilty must be improved.
In this study, the formation mechanisms of the inside pores at the pressureless sintering conditions that yield the thick body of uniform structure were invesigated.
The creep properties of sintered body were studied by analyzing the results of internal friction measurements.
Hugoniot-compression curve for Si3N4 ceramics with controlled microstructure were measured to study the yeilding properties under shock compression. And the correlations with Hugoniot-elastic limits and microstructure of Si3N4 ceramics were considered.
The degradation characteristics of bending strength of specimens after processing under various grindingg condition were evaluated.
