Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis of Compositions in the Si3N4–Yb2O3 System

We report a systematic study of the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis of compositions in the Si3N4–Yb2O3 system. In our preparations, the ytterbium oxide content of the starting mixture was varied from 4 to 20 wt %. Ytterbium oxide has been shown to influence the combustion temperature, particle morphology, and the phase composition of synthesis products. Increasing the percentage of ytterbium oxide in the starting mixture has been found to increase the combustion temperature. We have optimized conditions for the synthesis of compositions with a high content of the alpha-phase of silicon nitride.