Preparation of Si3N4-YAG mixtures for the spark plasma sintering method

Abstract

Abstract In order to obtain ceramics based on Si3N4 with improved physical and mechanical properties, methods of creating composites for their subsequent consolidation by the spark plasma sintering method were investigated. Four different methods of producing mixtures based on the Si3N4 and Al5Y3O12 (YAG) precursor were considered in order to obtain a homogeneous distribution of the YAG sintering additive on the surface of the Si3N4 particles. It is shown that the YAG and Y-Si-Al-O-N phases are formed by co-precipitation, deposition in a gelatin matrix and Pecini methods. The spray drying method does not lead to the formation of the YAG phase. This may indicate a high homogeneity of the YAG coating on the surface of the Si3N4 particles, preventing the growth of crystalline particles.