Polysilazane derived micro/nano Si3N4/SiC composites

The pyrolised polysilazanes poly(hydridomethyl)silazane NCP 200 and poly(urea)silazane CERASET derived Si–C–N amorphous powders were used for preparation of micro/nano Si3N4/SiC composites by hot pressing. Y2O3–Al2O3 and Y2O3–Yb2O3 were used, as sintering aids. The resulting ceramic composites of all compositions were dense and polycrystalline with fine microstructure of average grain size <1 μm of both Si3N4 and SiC phases. The fine SiC nano-inclusions were identified within the Si3N4 micrograins. Phase composition of both composites consist of α, β modifications of Si3N4 and SiC. High weight loss was observed during the hot pressing cycle, 12 and 19 wt.% for NCP 200 and CERASET precursors, respectively. The fracture toughness of both nanocomposites (NCP 2000 and CERASET derived) was not different. Indentation method measured values are from 5 to 6 MPa m1/2, with respect to the sintering additive system. Fracture toughness is slightly sensitive to the SiC content of the nanocomposite. Hardness increases with the content of SiC in the nanocomposite. The highest hardness was achieved for pyrolysed CERASET precursor with 2 wt.% Y2O3 and 6 wt.% Yb2O3, HV ≅23 GPa. This is a consequence of the highest SiC content as well as the chemical composition of additives.