The method of electron heating is used to investigate the thermal resi
stivity and thermal conductivity of reaction-sintered silicon nitride.
Ceramics of this type are capable of withstanding temperature gradien
ts up to 200 K/cm without destruction. The limiting temperature at hea
ting in a vacuum is about 1400 K. Thermal conductivity is measured wit
hin the temperature range of 500 - 1200 K.