The effect of different nucleation temperatures on the grain morphology of ?-SiAlON ceramics

Abstract

Nitrogen rich yttrium-cerium containing multi-cation ?-SiAlON starting compositions were prepared by gas pressure sintering using conventional ?-Si3N4 powder. Microstructural characterization of the two stage sintered materials resulted in elongated ?-SiAlON in various conditions. The effect of different nucleation temperatures at 1400, 1500 and 1600°C and times for 5 and 20 minutes on the grain morphology of ?-SiAlON ceramics were investigated.