Grain Morphology and Intergranular Structure of Si3N4 Based Ceramics Formed by Hip

The microstructures of unreinforced and reinforced Si3N4 ceramics have been characterized by analytical electron microscopy in combination with quantitative microscopy. Special attention was paid to the effect which different additives, viz. metal oxides and SiC- and β-Si3N4-whiskers, have upon matrix morphology and intergranular microstructure. It was demonstrated that SiC-whiskers may suppress Si3N4 grain growth while an addition of β-Si3N4-whiskers results in a coarser Si3N4 microstructure. The different microstructures have been related to the mechanical properties of the ceramics.