Synthesis and properties of barium aluminosilicate glass-ceramic composites reinforced with in situ grown Si3N4 whiskers

BAS/Si3N4 composites with different barium aluminosilicate (BAS) content have been prepared by hot pressing. The results showed that BAS severed as an effective liquid-phase-sintering aid to attain full densification and promote the alpha-Si3N4 --> beta-Si3N4 phase transformation. The crystallized BAS significantly benefited the high-temperature mechanical properties of the composites. (C) 2003 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.