Abstract: The invention is a process for the manufacture of shaped articles of reaction-bonded silicon nitride in which pre-shaped articles of silicon powder are heated in a first stage under a nitrogen gas pressure of at least 6 MPa at a heating rate of not more than 50.degree. C. per hour to a reaction temperature below the melting point of silicon, the article is maintained at the reaction temperature for at least 0.5 hours and subsequently, in a second stage, heating the article at a heating rate of at least 500.degree. C. per hour to a temperature above the melting point of silicon and maintaining the article at that temperature for from 1 to 7 hours. The process can nitridate both pre-shaped articles consisting of silicon powder and, optionally, up to 15% by weight Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 powder and those containing up to 10% by weight of a sintering aid such as Y.sub.2 O.sub.3.

Abstract: The invention is a process for the manufacture of substantially pore-free shaped articles from polycrystalline material, such as tungsten carbide, silicon nitride, titanium boride or silicon carbide, in which encased articles preformed from pulverulent materials and having open pores are isostatically hot-pressed in a vacuum-sealed casing of vitreous or ceramic-like material in a high-pressure autoclave using an inert gas as pressure-transfer medium. Before the application of the casing material, a first layer comprising material that can be decomposed or melted, such as an organic wax or a resin-like product, or of a compressible heat-resistant material such as inorganic fibers or felts, is applied to the preformed articles. Then, the encased articles are thermally treated until the glass or ceramic layer is fused or sintered gas-tight. The articles pretreated in this manner are then isostatically hot-pressed.