Stability of Silicon Carbonitride Phases

Important hard phases are included in the quaternary compositional system Si‐N‐C‐B. This paper reviews ternary amorphous and crystalline phases in the system Si‐N‐C and deliberates on the issue of stability of the binary C3N4, a hypothetical phase harder than diamond, and instability of nitrides in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the American Ceramic Society 2002-01, Vol.85 (1), p.16-20
Main Author: Badzian, Andrzej
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
nitrides
phases
silicon carbonitride
stability
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Summary:Important hard phases are included in the quaternary compositional system Si‐N‐C‐B. This paper reviews ternary amorphous and crystalline phases in the system Si‐N‐C and deliberates on the issue of stability of the binary C3N4, a hypothetical phase harder than diamond, and instability of nitrides in general. There is a tendency for nitrogen atoms to agglomerate and be released as nitrogen molecules. Stabilization of CN radicals can be achieved through ternary phases: carbonitrides metal‐C‐N. Ternary Si‐N‐C phases have been synthesized by pyrolysis of polyorganosilazanes, physical vapor deposition, and chemical vapor deposition. The crystalline α‐Si3N4:C phase can incorporate about 6 at.% C and yields enhancement of hardness and wear resistance. Other crystalline phases contain more carbon, for example, Si2CN4.
ISSN:0002-7820
1551-2916
DOI:10.1111/j.1151-2916.2002.tb00031.x