A comparison of sintering techniques using different particle sized β-SiAlON powders

In the present study sintering behavior and mechanical properties of beta-SiAlON ceramics were investigated using different sintering techniques (gas pressured sintering (GPS), pressureless sintering and spark plasma sintering (SPS)) and different particle sized powders (with D-BET 216 and 130 nm). After sintering of the microstructure and phase characterization were carried out using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the X-ray diffraction (XRD) method, respectively. All the samples, prepared using fine powder, were sintered at lower temperatures than samples prepared by conventional powder, by two sintering techniques (GPS and pressureless). Additionally, the results showed that cooling rates had an important effect on the formation and the amount of intermediate phase in the sample. As a result, it was shown that the particle size of starting raw materials, the amount of additive, the sintering temperature and the technique had a significant effect on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the SiAlON samples. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.