Patents
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of dense Samarium stabilised alpha-SiAION from the system Si3N4 - Al2O3.AIN -Sm2O3.9AIN - Si02 resulting into dense product of the order of > 98% theoretical density with the advantages such as cost effectiveness, high hardness and high fracture toughness. The produced dense alpha-SiAION 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.