摘要
The addition of β－Si3N4 seed grains to a ceramic powder is an effective means of controlling the microstructural evolution,In this work addition of β－Si3N4 seed grains gave rise to a bi-modal microstructure made up of large rod-lkike grains that grew from the added seed during the liquid phase sintering process and the usua elongated grains which are developed from the α→β transformation process in silicon nitride,The morphology of te grains that were grown epitaxially from the seed was influenced by the size and shape of the seed crystals;the relatively large and elongated seed grains gave rise to large rod-like grains whilst those with equiaxed-like shape gave rise to large grains similar in shape to the seed from which they were grown.The evolution of the large rod-like grains and the resultant bi-modal microstructure led to a considerable improvement in the mechanical properties.
