MICROSTRUCTURAL CHANGES IN LIQUID-PHASE SINTERED ALPHA-SILICON CARBIDE

Microstructural changes in liquid-phase sintered oc-silicon carbide du e to the formation of a liquid reaction-layer and segregation of compo nents of the liquid-phase near the surface were investigated. The outs ide surface layer was created by reaction of the packing powder and an eutectic oxide liquid-phase, and the Liquid-phase components were seg regated in the surface region of the specimen during sintering. The mi crostructural changes from the surface to the interior were a result o f the changes in volume of the liquid-phase available for sintering as a function of depth from the specimen surface.