Hot-pressed self-reinforced silicon nitride ceramics were eroded with
SiC and quartz particles at different impingement angles. The target c
eramics were comprised of rod-shaped grains of various aspect ratios.
Erosion weight loss was measured and the erosion dependence on impinge
ment angles was determined. The test ceramics exhibited an N-like eros
ion curve, and a combination of both ductile and brittle behavior. The
damage to the surfaces of silicon nitride ceramics varied from microp
loughing with limited deformation to microcracking with crumbling.