Si3N4–TiN Composites Produced by Hot-Pressing Silicon Nitride and Titanium Powders.

Si3N4–TiN ceramic composites have been produced by hot-pressing mixtures of silicon nitride and metallic titanium powders at temperatures from 1600 to 1800°C in a nitrogen atmosphere. We have examined the influence of the concentration and morphology of metallic Ti particles in the starting mixture and synthesis conditions on the microstructure, phase composition, and mechanical strength of the Si3N4–TiN ceramic composites. The results demonstrate that the sintering process ensures complete titanium nitridation, leading to the formation of a nonstoichiometric titanium nitride with the composition TiN0.9. The Si3N4–TiN composites prepared from the mixtures containing 5–30 wt % Ti have densities in the range 3.02–3.41 g/cm3, water absorption from 0.01 to 0.14%, open porosity from 0.03 to 0.44%, and bending strength from 250 to 584 MPa. The Si3N4–TiN ceramics prepared using calcium aluminates as sintering aids consist of dense intergrowths of silicon nitride crystallites, which ensures increased strength of the materials. Moreover, the samples containing 25–30 wt % TiN offer high electrical conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]