Multi-step sintering method study of HP Y-SiAlON ceramics

Multi-step hot pressing sintering was adopted to prepare Y-SiAlON (Y _0.4Si_9.6Al_2.4O_1.2N_14.8) at 1950°C for 60 min under 25 Mpa in nitrogen atmosphere, and the microstructure was studied. The phase assemblages, microstructures and densification of the sintered samples were discussed in detail. In order to contrast to multi-step sintering, one step sintering also was adopted, The results reveal that single-phase α-SiAlON with elongated grain pattern is formed in the multi-step sintering specimens, because of holding at low temperature in multi-step sintering is helpful to reduce the kinetics of crystal growth, the mount of elongated grain in multi-step sintering samples is more than that of in one step sintering ones.