IN233977: A synergistic composition useful for the preparation of dense newdymium stabilised beta-silicon nitride-d-SiAION composite

A synergistic composition useful for the preparation of dense neodymium stabilised beta¸-Si3N4 - alpha-SiAION composite The invention relates to a synergistic composition useful for the preparation of dense neodymium stabilised beta-Si3N4 - alpha-SiAION composite The composition consists of a synergistic mixture of Si3N4, Al2O3, AIN, SiO2 and Nd2O3. The cost effective synergistic composition is useful for the preparation of dense neodymium stabilised beta-Si3N4 - alpha-SiAION composite of the order of > 98% theoretical density, having high hardness and high fracture toughness. The dense beta¸-Si3N4 - alpha-SiAION 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.