EN
Si₃N₄-SiC micro-nano composite powder has been studied by a group of authors during the last decade. Previous works have shown that SiC-Si₃N₄ ceramics exhibits good mechanical properties and high corrosion resistance at elevated temperatures. In this study, we have tried a new approach to obtaining SiC-Si₃N₄ ceramic composite powder by changing the conditions in the carbothermal reduction process. Starting powders were quartz mineral, received from Ege-Sil Co., as silicon-source and, carbon, as silica-reducing and carburizing agent. These powders were ground in the ring mill, separately and together. Carbothermal reduction-nitridation/carburization reactions were carried out in a tube furnace at >1400°C for 4 hours under N₂ and Ar gas, used as nitriding and shielding atmosphere. The synthesized powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, SEM, and EDS. Results have shown that production of Si₃N₄-SiC micro-nano composite powder was achieved in the modified nitrogen and argon atmosphere above 1400°C. Determination of the Si₃N₄/SiC ratio was possible with sensitive control of the system conditions.