Microwave sintering of SiAlON ceramics with TiN addition

α-β SiAlON/TiN composites with nominal composition of α:= β25:75 were fabricated by microwave sintering. The effect of titanium nitride addition on the phases, microstructure, microwave absorption ability and mechanical properties (Vickers hardness and fracture toughness) of the SiAlON-based composites were studied. Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) software was used for the numerical simulation in order to assess the most suitable experimental setup. Sintering trials were performed in a single mode microwave furnace operating at 2.45 GHz and a power output of 660W, for a reaction time of 30 min. SiC blocks were used as a susceptor to accelerate the microwave processing by hybrid heating, with reduced heat losses from the surface of the material of the α- βSiAlON/TiN composites. The optimum comprehensive mechanical properties, corresponding to a relative density of 96%, Vickers hardness of 12.98 ± 1.81 GPa and Vickers indentation fracture toughness of 5.52 ± 0.71 MPa.m1/2 were obtained at 850°C when the content of TiN was 5 wt.%.