Preferred orientation of Si3N4 ceramics by slip casting in a high magnetic field

Preferred orientation of Si3N4 ceramics by slip casting in a high magnetic field was obtained. Although the magnetic susceptibility of non-magnetic Si3N4 ceramics is very small, it is possible to control the crystal orientation of Si3N4 using a high magnetic field. The orientation of Si3N4 ceramics was studied by X-ray diffraction and the orientation degree was calculated. The results indicated that β-Si3N4 phase possessed a, b-axis orientation parallel to the magnetic field and c-axis orientation perpendicular to the magnetic field. SEM micrographs of polished and plasma etched specimens showed a, b planes of β-Si3N4 grains aligned in the side2 surfaces.