Controlled Crystallization of the Amorphous Phase in Silicon Nitride Ceramics

The controlled crystallization of amorphous second phases in SiAlON is demonstrated in two systems. In a magnesia‐containing SiAlON, cordierite crystallized on annealing after hot‐pressing. Similarly, garnet crystallized in yttria‐contain‐ing SiAlON. The resulting microstructures are characterized by TEM and qualitatively related to changes on room‐temperature toughness and high‐temperature deformation. Copyright © 1987, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved