Corrosion of beta-sialon-based ceramics by molten steel

The corrosion resistance of sialons made from commercial powders (AlN, Al2O3 and Si3N4) and from powder precursor produced by carbothermal reduction and nitridation of raw aluminosilicate (pyrophyllite) in molten steel were investigated. The corroded zone in sialon made from raw pyrophyllite (P1) is more then two times deeper compared to the corroded zone of sialon made from commercial powders (C1). The corrosion zone of sample P1 is on the average 610 mm deep, while in sample C1 it is only 260 mm. The main corrosion products are Al2O3 and iron silicides. The phase compositions were estimated by neutron Rietveld refinement.