The sophistication of ceramic science through silicon nitride studies

The historical understanding of polyphase silicon nitride, abbreviated throughout as SiN, has been a multidisciplinary effort that contributed to the sophistication of Ceramic Science over the last 50 years. This understanding and the development of SiN leading to significantly improved properties has been linked by uncovering relations between phase equilibrium, processing science, microstructural development and properties. The understanding of how to represent phase relations between Si3N4, other phases, eutectics and other important constituents in different Si-N-O-M systems was pioneered by Gunter Petzow, his students, post-docs and co-workers at the Max-Planck-Institut fur Metallforschung in Stuttgart. It will be seen that this representation was one key to unlock the understanding of SiN properties as related to composition and its development into one of the modern ceramics of today. Major events and discoveries concerning these silicon nitride materials will be reviewed with reference major contributors to its science and technology.