Microstructure and formation mechanism of combustion-synthesized rodlike Ca α-sialon crystals

The fabrication of rodlike Ca α-sialon crystals through a combustion synthesis process is reported in this paper. The main morphological features in the product included rodlike crystals, two dimensional elongated platelets, and equiaxed particles. By proper adjustment of the combustion parameters, a high productivity of rodlike Ca α-sialon crystals in the final product could be achieved. The combustion reaction mechanism and the relationship between the combustion parameters and the particle morphology were investigated.