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GA Silicon Nitride Ceramic（Si3N4）
Silicon Nitride Ceramics: Types, Properties, and Applications of Advanced Nitride Materials Silicon Nitride Ceramics are advanced ceramics primarily composed of nitrides, with two main crystalline forms: α-silicon nitride and β-silicon nitride. Depending on the sintering process, they are categorized into hot-pressed silicon nitride and reaction-bonded silicon nitride.
Sintering Processes
Hot-Pressed Silicon Nitride
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- This type is made by pressing silicon nitride powder into a mold and sintering it at 1700°C under 20-30 MPa pressure.
- It produces dense, pore-free ceramics with excellent flexural strength and toughness.
Reaction-Bonded Silicon Nitride
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- It starts with silicon (Si) or silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) powder, which is shaped and then heated in a nitrogen-rich atmosphere to form silicon nitride (Si + N₂ → Si₃N₄).
- The final products are highly precise in dimensions but contain 20%-30% porosity, which makes them less strong, hard, and tough compared to hot-pressed silicon nitride.
Among all ceramics, silicon nitride offers the best thermal shock resistance.
Main Features of Silicon Nitride Ceramic
- Excellent self-lubrication and wear resistance
- Low thermal expansion coefficient
- Outstanding thermal shock resistance
- High hardness and a low friction coefficient (0.1-0.2)
- Good chemical stability and electrical insulation
Silicon Nitride Ceramic Property Chart
| Property | Units | Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄) |
| General | ||
| Color | — | Black |
| Gas Permeability | atms-cc/sec | Gas tight < 10⁻¹⁰ |
| Water Absorption | % | 0 |
| Density | g/cm³ | 3.20 |
| Mechanical Properties | ||
| Hardness Vickers 500 gm | GPa (kg/mm²) | 15 (1529) |
| Hardness (R45N) | — | 83 |
| Fracture Toughness（ Notched Beam） | MPa·m¹/² | 6 |
| Flexural Strength (MOR) | MPa (psi x 10³) | 900 (130) |
| Tensile Strength @ RT | MPa (psi x 10³) | 537 (78) |
| Compressive Strength @ RT | MPa (psi x 10³) | 2500 (362) |
| Elastic Modulus | GPa (psi x 10⁶) | 300 (44) |
| Poisson’s Ratio | — | 0.28 |
| Thermal Properties | ||
| C.T.E. (25 – 600°C) | x 10⁻⁶/°C | 2.9 |
| Thermal Conductivity @ RT | W/m·K | 29 |
| Max Use Temp | Fahrenheit (°F) | 2462 |
| Max Use Temp | Celsius (°C) | 1350 |
| Electrical Properties | ||
| Dielectric Strength | V/mil | 300 |
| Dielectric Constant @ 1 MHz | — | 9.1 |
| Volume Resistivity, 25°C | ohms-cm | > 10¹⁴ |
*The values represent typical material properties and may vary depending on product configuration and the manufacturing process,
For further information, do not hesitate to contact us.
Silicon Nitride Ceramic Applications
Hot-Pressed Silicon Nitride (HPSN)
- Cutting tools
- Simple-shaped parts for wear and high-temperature applications
- Bearing components
Reaction-Bonded Silicon Nitride (RBSN)
- Ideal for complex shapes requiring high precision
- Sealing rings in the petrochemical industry
- Gas turbine rotor blades
Silicon Carbide Ceramic Services by WEIERT
We specialize in custom CNC machining of Silicon Carbide Ceramic Components. With a focus on high precision, durability, and superior performance, we deliver solutions tailored to your needs.
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