High-temperature properties of SiC-Si3N4 particle composites

Due to promising results in literature, SiC-Si3N4 particle composites in the range 0-100 percent SiC were evaluated. Focusing on high-temperature properties, mainly Y2O3 was used as sintering additive. Consolidation occurred primarily by hot-pressing, sintering tests were performed for comparison. Besides short-term properties like strength, toughness etc., long-term properties like creep and oxidation behavior were determined. Results as a function of SiC-content and microstructure were discussed with respect to materials' performance at high temperatures and possibilities of their production on a technical scale.