イミド熱分解で合成したβ型窒化ケイ素粉末の焼結  [in Japanese] Sintering of β-Si_3N_4 Powder Made by the Imide-Decomposition Method  [in Japanese]

Beta-Si_3N_4 powder made by the imide-decomposition method was gas-pressure sintered at 1800°C for 4h in 1 MPa N_2 gas. This material had a microstructure of "in-situ composite" and excellent mechanical properties (strength : 780 MPa, fracture toughness : 7.5 MPa・m^<1/2>), whereas β-Si_3N_4 powder made by the silicon nitridation method reqired sintering temperature higher than 1900°C to attain similar microstructure and mechanical properties. β-Si_3N_4 powder by the imide-decomposition method had excellent properties for grain growth at low temperatures.