Fabrication of translucent boron nitride dispersed polycrystalline silicon nitride ceramics

Optical transparency was achieved at infrared region and overall translucent silicon nitride was fabricated using hot press sintering (HPS). The increase in h-BN content decreased the optical transparency. Microstructral observations shows that the optical, mechanical and tribological properties of BN dispersed polycrystalline Si3N4 ceramics were affected by the density, α:β-phase ratio and content of h-BN in sintered ceramics. The hot pressed samples were prepared from the mixture of α-Si3N4, AlN, MgO and h-BN at 1850 deg. C. The composite contained from 0.25 to 2 mass % BN powder with sintering aids (9% AlN + 3% MgO). Maximum transmittance of 57% was achieved for 0.25 mass % BN doped Si3N4 ceramics. Fracture toughness was increased and wear volume and friction coefficient were decreased with increase in BN content.