Pure hBN (hexagonal boron nitride) and hBN-based ceramic parts were fabrica
ted by the combustion synthesis technique, i.e. self-propagating high-tempe
rature synthesis (SHS). The components were manufactured by the combustion
reaction of 80 MPa nitrogen and the compact made by cool isostatic pressing
. In the hBN-based ceramic parts, hBN powders were used as diluent and SiO2
powders as the reinforcement phase. The relative density of pure hBN and h
BN-based ceramic parts was 58 and 78%, respectively. The phases and microst
ructure of the ceramic parts were analyzed using XRD and SEM. (C) 2001 Else
vier Science B.V. All rights reserved.