• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.547-554
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• 1999

The self-reinforced Si3N4 ceramics were prepared by pressureless-sintering using ${\beta}$-Si3N4 whiskers as a seed. Effects of ${\beta}$-Si3N4 whiskers on microstructure and mechanical properties and the ${\alpha}$ to ${\beta}$ phase transition of Si3N4 were investigated. The self-reinforced Si3N4 ceramics were densified(relative density$\geq$98%) by pressureless-sintering (1800$^{\circ}C$ 2h) using 8mol% Y2O3 and 6mol% Al2O3 as sintering aids and 5 vol% ${\beta}$-Si3N4 whiskers within self-reinforced Si3N4 ceramic seemed to hinder the densification owing to their acicular shapes but accelerated the ${\alpha}$ to ${\beta}$ phase transition because they acted as pre-existing nuclei. It was found that the more ${\beta}$-Si3N4 nucei the faster ${\alpha}$ to ${\beta}$ phase transition.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.575-580
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• 2016

Microstructural design of ceramics has generally focused on information gathered at the micro- and macro-scales and related this to how specific properties could be improved. Ceramic processing serves as the key to optimizes the final microstructure. However, the advent of nano-scale microstructures and highly advanced characterization tools are forcing us to develop new knowledge of what is occurring not just at the micro-scale but also at the atomic level. Thus we are now beginning to be able to address how microstructure is influenced by events at the atomic scale using atomic scale images and data. Theoreticians have joined us in interpreting the mechanisms involved in the "microstructural" evolution at multiple scales and how this can be used to enhance specific properties of ceramics. The focus here is on delving into the various layers the "microstructure" in order understand how atomic-scale events influence the structure and properties of ceramics.