Development of a cost effective silicon nitride powder

The Ceramic Technology for Advanced Heat Engines Project was initiated in 1983 to meet the ceramic materials technology needs of the Department of energy (DOE) advanced engine programs, the Advanced Gas Turbine (AGT) Program, and the Heavy Duty Transport (low-heat-rejection heavy-duty diesel) Program. The original plan for this effort was developed jointly by industry, academia, and the US Government. The plan was developed in several stages following an assessment to determine the critical-technology base needs, the potential economic value of structural ceramics, the extent of ongoing and planned R and D programs, and the estimated funding required. The program goal was to develop an industrial technology base capable of providing reliable and cost-effective structural ceramics for application in advanced heat engines. In this paper research, sponsored by the US Department of Energy, with the objective of developing an economical silicon nitride powder is described.