Have the limits of the development of Beta-Si3N4-materials already been reached?

The improvement of the properties of Beta-Si3N4- ceramics is connected with the optimization of the microstructure. The possibilities of further improvement of microstructure and properties are explained on the basis of experiments on anisotropic grain growth in Beta-Si3N4-materials synthesized from different powders (direct nitridation, diimide process, plasma synthesis), different kinds of additives, and the size and amount of Beta-Si3N4- nuclei. Correlations between powder properties, sintering, microstructure, and mechanical properties are given.