Pulse electric current sintering of Si₃N₄

Abstract

Effect of powder characteristics on densification and grain growth of silicon nitride sintered by pulse electric current sintering was studied. Alpha- and β-type sub-micrometer and β-type fine powder were heated at about 300 K/min and kept at a sintering temperature for 5 min. Dense ceramic was fabricated from α powder at 1650°C and from β fine powder at 1580°C. Density of ceramic from β sub-micrometer powder sintered at and over 1650°C was about 95 %.