Development and characterisation of SiAlON composites with TiB2, TiN, TiC and TiCN

30 vol% of TiB2, TiCN, TiN or TiC was added to a sialon matrix with an X-phase sialon (Si12Al18O39N8) and an Al2O3-Si3N4 (77/23 wt%) starting powder composition and hot pressed at 1650degreesC in vacuum. The microstructures of the obtained composites were characterised by means of X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy, and the mechanical properties; E-modulus, hardness, bending strength and fracture toughness were measured and evaluated.status: publishe