Microwave Sintering of SiAlON Ceramics with TiN Addition

α-β SiAlON/TiN composites with nominal composition of α:β = 25:75 were fabricated by microwave sintering. The effect of titanium nitride addition on the phases, microstructure, microwave absorption ability and mechanical properties (Vickers hardness and fracture toughness) of the SiAlON-based composites were studied. Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) software was used for the numerical simulation in order to assess the most suitable experimental setup. Sintering trials were performed in a single mode microwave furnace operating at 2.45 GHz and a power output of 660 W, for a reaction time of 30 min. SiC blocks were used as a susceptor to accelerate the microwave processing by hybrid heating, with reduced heat losses from the surface of the material of the α-β SiAlON/TiN composites. The optimum comprehensive mechanical properties, corresponding to a relative density of 96%, Vickers hardness of 12.98 ± 1.81 GPa and Vickers indentation fracture toughness of 5.52 ± 0.71 MPa.m(1/2) were obtained at 850 °C when the content of TiN was 5 wt.%.