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Virginia Tech

Development of Low Expansion Glaze Coatings on As Fired Si₃N₄ to Enhance Room Temperature Flexural Strength

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) has the potential for use in various high-performance applications. However, surface defects such as voids/pits are commonly present on as processed Si₃N₄. When subjected to external forces, fracture originates at such flaws. To reduce or eliminate surface flaws, machining operations are required which constitute a major proportion of production costs. In order to offer an inexpensive alternative to machining and also to enhance the room temperature flexural strength of as fired Si₃N₄, low expansion glaze coatings of lithium aluminosilicate (LAS) and magnesium aluminosilicate (MAS) compositions were developed. Homogeneous and crack-free glaze coatings were successfully formed on as processed Si₃N₄. This ensured formation of compressive surface stresses on the as fired Si₃N₄ which, in turn, led to the reduction of the effects of surface flaws. When compared to the uncoated as fired Si₃N₄, both the glaze coatings helped achieve greater flexural strength. Analyses of the two glazes indicated better strength for the MAS coating compared to the LAS. Wear tests revealed that the MAS glaze exhibited higher wear resistance than the LAS glaze. These differences were attributed to the ability of the magnesium aluminosilicate glaze to achieve greater surface smoothness and better adherence to the substrate than the lithium aluminosilicate.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Materials Science and Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Materials Science and Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
1998

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Majumdar, Nandita N.
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Hirschfeld, Deidre A.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Gordon, Ronald S.
  • Brown, Jesse J. Jr.

Subjects

dc:subject × 3

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-52698-1790
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/36798

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Majumdar, Nandita N.. Development of Low Expansion Glaze Coatings on As Fired Si₃N₄ to Enhance Room Temperature Flexural Strength. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/36798