Advanced Ceramics Progress

Advanced Ceramics Progress

Microstructure and Properties of Spark Plasma Sintered SiAlON Composites Derived from Novel Precursors

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors
Mohammad Sadegh Abdi Maghsoudlou 1, 2
Touradj Ebadzadeh 3
Alireza Aghaei 4
1 Assistant professor , Department of Materials Engineering,Facalty of Engineering, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran.
2 PhD Candidate, Department of Ceramics, Materials and Energy Research Center, Karaj, Iran.
3 Professor, Department of Ceramics, Materials and Energy Research Center, Karaj, Iran.
4 Associate Professor, Department of Ceramics, Materials and Energy Research Center, Karaj, Iran.
10.30501/acp.2024.486092.1170
Abstract
This paper explores α/β-SiAlON composites, known for their exceptional mechanical and thermal properties, fabricated using spark plasma sintering (SPS). Novel reagents were initially introduced for the mechanochemical synthesis of precursors essential for producing α- and β-SiAlON phases via the carbothermal process. The prepared precursors were combined with active carbon in stoichiometric ratios and heated in a nitrogen (N₂) atmosphere for two hours. Characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), confirmed the successful synthesis of SiAlON phases at 1500°C, revealing a range of morphologies.The results demonstrate that all composites sintered through the SPS process achieve complete densification at 1800°C. Mechanical properties, such as hardness and fracture toughness, are influenced by the ratios of α- and β-SiAlON phases. A composition of 70% β-SiAlON and 30% α-SiAlON exhibited optimal results, achieving a fracture toughness of 4.67 MPa•m¹/² and a hardness of 17.32 GPa, comparable to commercial samples produced using alternative raw materials.
Keywords
SiAlON Composites
Novel Precursors
Spark Plasma Sintering
Carbothermal Reduction and Nitridation Process
Mechanical Properties

Subjects

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  • Receive Date 05 November 2024
  • Revise Date 22 November 2024
  • Accept Date 23 November 2024