Novel Microstructure of Microwave-Sintered Silicon Nitride Doped with Al2O3 and Y2O3

Silicon nitride compacts doped with Al2O3 and Y2O3 were sintered by microwave heating. The microstructure of microwave-sintered silicon nitride was examined and was compared with that of a conventionally sintered one. Microwave-sintered silicon nitride showed a different microstructural development and an in-situ composite microstructure.