Role of bulk and mass effects of reactions in reaction sintering processes

Abstract

Peculiarities of the fabrication of ceramic porous and dense composite materials based on compounds of the Si–C–O–N system with the participation of chemical reactions and the formation of new phases are discussed. An analysis of comparatively new technologies is attempted in terms developed in earlier studies on the reaction sintering of silicon nitride, carbide, and oxynitride. It is shown that the approach to reaction sintering that includes the selection of promising reaction systems allowing for the bulk effect of reactions accompanying material formation can be extended to the fabrication of porous and highly porous materials. In contrast to the fabrication of dense materials, when reaction systems with positive bulk effects are used, the reaction systems with negative bulk effects can be used in the fabrication of highly porous materials.