Mechanical and thermal properties of beta'-sialon prepared by a slip casting method

Various mechanical and thermal properties of beta'-sialon ceramics, Si6-zAlzOzN8-z, prepared from aqueous slurries by a slip casting method were investigated as a function of Z values from 0 to 4. In the present study, Si6-zAlzOzN8-z occurred in the beta'-sialon crystalline phase only near Z = 1. The maximum values for bending strength and fracture toughness, 660 MPa and 5.7 MPa . m(1/2), respectively, were obtained at Z = 0.5. The thermal expansion coefficient exhibited its lowest value, 3.4 x 10(-6). T-1, at Z = 0.5, In view of the present results, beta'-sialon, Si6-zAlzOzN8-z (Z = 0.5-1), prepared by a slip casting method using aqueous slurries could be adopted, with no problem, for refractory parts.