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Synthesis and properties of in situ Si3N4-reinforced BaO·Al2O3·2SiO2 ceramic matrix composites

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Abstract

Silicon nitride (94.5% α, 5.5% β), BaCO3, Al2O3, and SiO2 powders were mixed and pressureless sintered to produce a ceramic matrix composite consisting of 30 vol% barium aluminosilicate (BaO·Al2O3·2SiO2 or BAS) matrix reinforced with in situ grown whiskers of β-Si3N4. In situ X-ray studies of the reactions indicated that BaCO3 decomposes first to yield BaO which reacts with SiO2 to yield a series of barium silicates which then react with Al2O3 between 950 and 1300°C to yield hexacelsian BAS. The sintering times were varied in order to develop a material system that combines the favourable properties of BAS with the high strength of Si3N4. In situ high-temperature X-ray studies after composite processing did not reveal any changes in the BAS or Si3N4 up to temperatures of 1300°C. Dilatometry studies of the sintered composite indicated a low-temperature transformation between 230 and 260°C with the temperature of transformation and volume change associated with the hexagonal to orthorhombic transformation decreasing with an increase of sintering time. Room- and high-temperature (1400°C) strengths were evaluated using four-point bend flexural tests. Composites exhibited near theoretical densities and an increase in flexural strength that was primarily dependent on the higher α- to β-Si3N4 transformation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department and Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Texas at Arlington, P.O. Box 19031, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA

    S. W QUANDER, A BANDYOPADHYAY & P. B ASWATH

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  1. S. W QUANDER
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  2. A BANDYOPADHYAY
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  3. P. B ASWATH
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QUANDER, S.W., BANDYOPADHYAY, A. & ASWATH, P.B. Synthesis and properties of in situ Si3N4-reinforced BaO·Al2O3·2SiO2 ceramic matrix composites. Journal of Materials Science 32, 2021–2029 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018554217839

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