Silicon nitride powder, with the chemical formula Si₃N₄, is produced mainly through advanced processes such as direct nitridation of silicon powder, carbothermal reduction and chemical vapor deposition. As a key raw material for advanced ceramic materials, it is gradually emerging in the global industrial field. With its excellent performance combination, it has become the target of many high-tech and traditional industries.

Silicon nitride powder

chemical composition

Parameter Category

Technical Specifications

Materials Science Significance and Selection Guidelines

Principal Component and Purity

Si₃N₄ 97: Si₃N₄ ≥90-97%
Si₃N₄ 90: Si₃N₄ ≥85-90%
Si₃N₄ 80/75: Si₃N₄ ≥70-80%

Purity determines the upper limit of the final ceramic performance. High-purity (>90%) powders are the foundation for manufacturing high-reliability structural components (such as bearings and cutting tools); medium-purity powders can be used for components with slightly lower mechanical performance requirements but needing high-temperature corrosion resistance (such as metallurgical crucibles and corrosion-resistant parts).

Key Element Content

N: 34-39%

Si (free): 47-60%

Fe (impurities): ≤0.2-0.5% (ultra-low iron preferred)

Nitrogen content and the α-phase ratio directly affect sintering activity and the strength of the final product. Low metallic impurities (Fe, Al, Ca) are crucial for ensuring oxidation resistance and creep resistance at high temperatures.

Physical Form

Powder: 100 mesh, 200 mesh, 325 mesh (D50 from tens to several micrometers)

Particles: 10-50mm (for special additives)

Size and distribution are core to the process. Ultrafine powders (submicron level) have high sintering activity and are suitable for preparing high-density, high-performance ceramics; powders with specific particle size distributions are used in plasma spraying (PS) or hot isostatic pressing (HIP) processes to prepare coatings or near-net-shape components.

Excellent performance shows its advantages

High-temperature stability:

With impressive high-temperature resistance, silicon nitride powder can still maintain structural integrity and mechanical properties in extreme high-temperature environments. Its melting point exceeds 1900°C and can withstand long-term use temperatures of up to 1200°C - 1400°C, which makes it excellent in aerospace engine parts, high-temperature furnace linings and other fields, effectively resisting erosion and deformation caused by high temperatures.

High strength and hardness:

It has extremely high hardness and strength. Its hardness is second only to a few materials such as diamond. Its flexural strength and fracture toughness are also among the best among ceramic materials. This provides the possibility to manufacture cutting tools, bearings, engine turbine blades and other components that need to withstand high pressure and wear, significantly improving the service life and work efficiency of these components.

Excellent wear resistance:

In frictional environments, silicon nitride powder exhibits excellent wear resistance, with low friction coefficient and good stability. Whether it is high-speed cutting in mechanical processing or during the operation of piston rings, seals and other components of automobile engines, it can effectively reduce wear, reduce energy consumption, and extend equipment maintenance cycles.

Chemical stability:

Excellent corrosion resistance to most acids, alkalis and organic solvents. In industries with harsh corrosive environments such as chemicals and pharmaceuticals, reaction vessels, pipes, valves and other components made of silicon nitride can ensure Safe, stable and efficient operation of the production process, reducing equipment replacement frequency and maintenance costs.

silicon nitride powder

Wide range of applications

Ceramic manufacturing

It is the core raw material for advanced structural ceramics and functional ceramics. In the field of electronic ceramics, it is used to manufacture insulating substrates, high-frequency filters, etc., to meet the needs of miniaturization and high performance of electronic equipment; in the field of cutting tools, the ceramic tools made can cut high-hardness metal materials at high speed and improve processing accuracy. and efficiency, and are widely used in precision processing industries such as aerospace and automobile manufacturing.

Automobile industry

Automotive engine parts, such as turbocharger rotors, valves, pistons, etc., using silicon nitride ceramic materials can reduce the weight of the parts, improve the thermal efficiency and power performance of the engine, and at the same time reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. Comply with the development trend of automobile lightweight, energy saving and environmental protection.

Aerospace field

With its high temperature resistance, high strength and low density properties, silicon nitride powder is used to manufacture key components such as combustion chambers, turbine blades, and nozzles of aeroengines, as well as insulating tiles, bearings, etc. of spacecraft , helping aircraft operate stably under extreme conditions, improving the reliability and safety of space missions, and promoting aerospace technology to move towards higher performance.