Abstract: Prepare silicon nitride-silicon carbide composite powders by carbothermal reduction of crystalline silica powder, carbon powder and, optionally, crystalline silicon nitride powder. The crystalline silicon carbide portion of the composite powders has a mean number diameter less than about 700 nanometers and contains nitrogen. The composite powders may be used to prepare sintered ceramic bodies and self-reinforced silicon nitride ceramic bodies.

Abstract: Prepare boron carbide-aluminum structural composites by infiltrating molten aluminum or aluminum alloy into a porous preform that is either unbaked or baked at a temperature of up to 1800.degree. C. to form a densified cermet and then heat treat the cermet in air or an oxygen-containing atmosphere to form a dense outer surface layer of aluminum oxide. The resulting structural cermets can withstand prolonged exposure to temperatures above the melting point of aluminum without suffering undue degradation of physical properties such as flexure strength.

Abstract: Silicon carbide/silicon nitride composites are prepared by carbothermal reduction of crystalline silica powder, carbon powder and optionally crsytalline silicon nitride powder. The crystalline silicon carbide portion of the composite has a mean number diameter less than about 700 nanometers and contains nitrogen.

Abstract: Prepare silicon nitride-silicon carbide composite powders by carbothermal reduction of crystalline silica powder, carbon powder and, optionally, crystalline silicon nitride powder. The crystalline silicon carbide portion of the composite powders has a mean number diameter less than about 700 nanometers and contains nitrogen. The composite powders may be used to prepare sintered ceramic bodies and self-reinforced silicon nitride ceramic bodies.

Abstract: Prepare boron carbide-aluminum structural composites by infiltrating molten aluminum or aluminum alloy into a porous preform that is either unbaked or baked at a temperature of up to 1800.degree. C. to form a densified cermet and then heat treat the cermet in air or an oxygen-containing atmosphere to form a dense outer surface layer of aluminum oxide. The resulting structural cermets can withstand prolonged exposure to temperatures above the melting point of aluminum without suffering undue degradation of physical properties such as flexure strength.

Abstract: A dense, substantially glass free, SiAlON ceramic material and method of making such material. The material has at least an alpha-SiAlON phase and a beta-SiAlON phase and exhibits excellent high temperature oxidation resistance and strength, good room temperature toughness and hardness, and a density greater than at least 95 percent of theoretical. The method of making the ceramic material is simple and includes adding AlN in an amount sufficient to allow formation of a desired amount of alpha-SiAlON, and in addition, convert SiO.sub.2 and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 into the beta-SiAlON phase, preferably, by adding AlN in an amount between about 1.3X+0.08Y-0.0045XY and about 1.3X+0.2Y-0.0024XY, wherein X is a weight percent of the SiO.sub.2 based on total weight of the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 in the mixture and Y is a weight percent of alpha-SiAlON phase desired.

Abstract: This invention is a multi-phase SiAlON composite having a first alpha-SiAlON phase prepared from a multi-cationic mixture including oxides and nitrides of strontium, at least one of yttrium or a rare earth metal, and at least one other metal such as Ca, Mg, Li or Na. The composite also has a second phase of beta-SiAlON, and a material of a third phase of intergranular amorphous morphology including Si, Al, O, and N combined with a mixture of strontium, at least one of Ca, Mg, Li or Na and at least one of yttrium or a rare earth element. The multi-phase SiAlON exhibits excellent strength, fracture toughness, hardness, creep resistance and oxidation resistance. The material is useful for high wear, high temperature machine or engine components and tools.

Abstract: A process for preparing a self-reinforced silicon nitride ceramic body of high fracture toughness comprising hot-pressing a powder mixture containing silicon nitride, a densification aid such as sodium oxide, a conversion aid such as lanthanum oxide and a compound, such as gallium oxide, which enhances growth of .beta.-silicon nitride whiskers-under conditions such that densification and the in situ formation of .beta.-silicon nitride whiskers having a high aspect ratio occur. A novel silicon nitride ceramic of high fracture toughness and high fracture strength is disclosed comprising a .beta.-silicon nitride crystalline phase wherein at least about 20 volume percent of the phase is in the form of whiskers having an average aspect ratio of at least about 2.5; a glassy second phase containing the densificaton aid, the conversion aid, the compound which enhances growth of .beta.-silicon nitride whiskers, and an amount of silica; and not greater than about 10 weight percent of the total weight as other phases.

Abstract: A process for preparing a self-reinforced silicon nitride ceramic body of high fracture toughness comprising hot-pressing a powdcer mixture containing silicon nitride, a densification aid such as sodium oxide, a conversion aid such as lanthanum oxide and a compound, such as gallium oxide, which enhances growth of .beta.-silicon nitride whiskers-under conditions such that densification and the in situ formation of .beta.-silicon nitride whiskers having a high aspect ratio occur. A novel silicon nitride ceramic of high fracture toughness and high fracture strength is disclosed comprising a .beta.-silicon nitride crystalline phase wherein at least about 20 volume percent of the phase is in the form of whiskers having an average aspect ratio of at least about 2.5; a glassy second phase containing the densification aid, the conversion aid, the compound which enhances growth of .beta.-silicon nitride whiskers, and an amount of silica; and not greater than about 10 weight percent of the total weight as other phases.

Abstract: A process for preparing a self-reinforced silicon nitride ceramic body of high fracture toughness comprising hot-pressing a powder mixture containing silicon nitride, a densification aid such as sodium oxide, a conversion aid such as lanthanum oxide and a compound, such as gallium oxide, which enhances growth of .beta.-silicon nitride whiskers-under conditions such that densification and the in situ formation of .beta.-silicon nitride whiskers having a high aspect ratio occur. A novel silicon nitride ceramic of high fracture toughness and high fracture strength is disclosed comprising a .beta.-silicon nitride crystalline phase wherein at least about 20 volume percent of the phase is in the form of whiskers having an average aspect ratio of at least about 2.5; a glassy second phase containing the densification aid, the conversion aid, the compound which enhances growth of .beta.-silicon nitride whiskers, and an amount of silica; and not greater than about 10 weight percent of the total weight as other phases.

Abstract: A process for preparing a self-reinforced silicon nitride ceramic body of high fracture toughness comprising hot-pressing a powder mixture containing silicon nitride, magnesium oxide, yttrium oxide and calcium oxide under conditions such that densification and the in situ formation of .beta.-silicon nitride whiskers having a high aspect ratio occur. A novel silicon nitride ceramic of high fracture toughness is disclosed comprising a .beta.-silicon nitride crystalline phase wherein at least about 20 volume percent of the phase is in the form of whiskers having an average aspect ratio of at least about 2.5; a glassy second phase containing magnesium oxide, yttrium oxide, calcium oxide, and silica in a total amount not greater than about 35 weight percent; and not greater than about 10 weight percent of the total weight as other phases.

Abstract: A process for preparing a self-reinforced silicon nitride ceramic body of high fracture toughness comprising hot-pressing a powder mixture containing silicon nitride, magnesium oxide, yttrium oxide and calcium oxide under conditions such that densification and the in situ formation of .beta.-silicon nitride whiskers having a high aspect ratio occur. A novel silicon nitride ceramic of high fracture toughness is disclosed comprising a .beta.-silicon nitride crystalline phase wherein at least about 20 volume percent of the phase is in the form of whiskers having an average aspect ratio of at least about 2.5; a glassy second phase containing magnesium oxide, yttrium oxide, calcium oxide, and silica in a total amount not greater than about 35 weight percent; and not greater than about 10 weight percent of the total weight as other phases.