Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Silicon Nitride Hot Pressed with Adding Rare-Earth Oxides

Mechanical and thermal properties of Si3N4 ceramics with various rare-earth oxides (La2O3, CeO2, Lu2O3, Dy2O3, Sm2O3, Nd2O3, Yb2O3, and RuO2) were investigated. Flexural strength of silicon nitride with addition of 5vol% Nd2O3, CeO2, Dy2O3, and Sm2O3 showed higher value than that of silicon nitride with Lu2O3 and La2O3 added because they form denser microstructure and smaller elongated grain. Thermal conductivity of silicon nitride with an addition of 5vol% RuO2 was more enhanced than that of silicon nitride added with Nd2O3, Sm2O3, and Dy2O3 because the addition of RuO2 depressed grain growth. It is also associated with lattice oxygen governing thermal conductivity of Si3N4 when added rare-earth oxides.