STRUCTURE-ANALYSIS AND PROPERTIES OF SI-C-N CERAMICS DERIVED FROM POLYSILAZANES

Pyrolysis sis of different polysilazanes has been used to prepare nove l covalent amorphous ceramics composed of silicon, carbon, and nitroge n. The formation and structure of the as-pyrolyzed amorphous state and its devitrification into stable crystalline phases have been investig ated by means of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, infrared spe ctroscopy, thermogavimetry, mass spectroscopy, X-ray-and neutron diffr action, and by transmission electron microscopy. Additionally, the ele ctrical conductivity and the compression creep behaviour of the as-rec eived materials have been analyzed.