Microstructure and mechanical properties of highly dense Si3N4 ceramics with ZrN–AlN–Re2O3 (Re=Yb, Y, Nd, Ce, La) additives

The Si 3 N 4 ceramics with ternary ZrN–AlN–Re 2 O 3 (Re=Yb, Y, Nd, Ce, La) and ZrN–AlN system as sintering additives were prepared by hot-pressed sintering with vacuum environment at 1750°C-30min–30MPa. Subsequently, the effect of the ternary additives system with 2 wt% Re 2 O 3 on phase transformation, grain boundary phases, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the Si 3 N 4 ceramics were investigated firstly. All samples achieved the high β-Si 3 N 4 phases transformation (≥98.86%), while the grain boundary phases Re x Zr 1-x O (4-x)/2 and Yb 2 Si 2 O 7 were detected in the sintered Si 3 N 4 ceramics with Re 2 O 3 additives. Additionally, compared with Si 3 N 4 ceramic not contain Re 2 O 3 additives, the Si 3 N 4 ceramics added Re 2 O 3 additives presented the textured microstructure with more elongated rodlike β-Si 3 N 4 grains based on the XRD and SEM results. Consequently, the sample S-Ce with added CeO 2 additive shows the highest relative density of 99.85% and optimal fracture toughness of 8.75 ± 0.36 MPa m 1/2 . The sample S–Nd with added Nd 2 O 3 additive presented a highest bending strength of 1061.78 ± 41.76 MPa. Sample S–Yb with added Yb 2 O 3 additive presented the maximum Vickers hardness of 16.35 ± 0.07 GPa. The results of this study can provide a helpful reference for the preparation of high-performance Si 3 N 4 ceramics.