Composition useful for preparation of dense neodymium stabilised beta-silicon nitride-alpha-sialon composite

The present invention consists of a synergistic mixture of Si3N4, Al2O3, AlN, SiO2 and Nd2O3.The cost effective synergistic composition is useful for the preparation of dense neodymium stabilised .beta.-Si3N4-.alpha.-SiAlON composite of the order of >98% theoretical density, having high hardness and high fracture toughness.The dense .beta.-Si3N4-.alpha.-SiAlON composite will be useful for low temperature applications as wear parts like bearing and roller materials and particularly for grinding and milling operations like grinding balls.