Corrosion of a silicon nitride-based ceramic in a stream of fuel combustion products

The authors investigate the effect of corrosion in kerosene combustion products on the composition and structure of the surface layer of reaction-sintered material NKKKM-83 (Si/sub 3/N/sub 4/ + 30% SiC + 2% MgO). Corrosion in the stream of fuel combustion products led to a significant change in the morphology of the material's surface layer. The specimens contained pits with diameters up to 0.5 mm, microcracks, pores, and white blister-containing beads. High temperature corrosion in the stream of fuel combustion products led to the formation on the material's surface of an oxide layer which differed significantly in its composition and structure from the layer formed during oxidation in air. For reliable evaluation of the durability of the material, it is necessary to test it under conditions as close as possible to natural ones.