Ceramic ball with controllable growth of long columnar beta-Si3N4 crystal grains and preparation method of ceramic ball

By formulating α-Si3N4 powder, β-Si3N4 seed crystals, and composite sintering aids, and employing a multi-stage gas pressure sintering process, the controllable growth of long columnar β-Si3N4 grains was achieved. This solved the problems of uncontrollable grain structure and insufficient mechanical properties in existing technologies, improved the performance of silicon nitride ceramic balls, and made them suitable for high-end equipment.

CN121850686APending Publication Date: 2026-04-14JIANGSU LIXING GENERAL STEEL BALL
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202511815762.1
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-12-04
Publication Date
2026-04-14

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In the existing technology, the grain structure of silicon nitride ceramic spheres is uncontrollable and the mechanical properties are insufficient. Traditional sintering processes cannot achieve the full growth and directional arrangement of long columnar β-Si3N4 grains, which limits its application in high-end equipment.

Method used

By employing a formulation design of α-Si3N4 powder, β-Si3N4 seed crystals, and composite sintering aids, combined with a multi-stage gas pressure sintering process, the α→β phase transformation is induced by β-Si3N4 seed crystals, and the composite sintering aids are used to form a liquid phase at high temperature to promote grain growth, thereby achieving the controllable growth and interlocking structure of long columnar β-Si3N4 grains.

Benefits of technology

The controlled growth of long columnar β-Si3N4 grains was achieved, which significantly improved the fracture toughness, hardness and bending strength of ceramic spheres, and enhanced the consistency and reliability of the material. It is suitable for high-end equipment such as high-speed bearings, precision machine tool main bearings and wind power equipment bearings.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a long-column-shaped beta-Si3N4 crystal grain controllable growth ceramic ball material and a preparation method of the long-column-shaped beta-Si3N4 crystal grain controllable growth ceramic ball material. The material is prepared by taking alpha-Si3N4 powder as a matrix and adding beta-Si3N4 seed crystal and a composite sintering aid in a specific proportion through a multi-stage air pressure sintering process. The formula comprises the following components in parts by weight: 80-95 parts of alpha-Si3N4 powder, 1-20 parts of beta-Si3N4 seed crystal and 3-10 parts of a composite sintering aid, wherein the composite sintering aid consists of R2O3 (R is at least one of Y, Ce and Lu) and Al2O3. Through seed crystal induction and sintering process control, controllable growth of the size, the length-diameter ratio and the spatial distribution of long columnar beta-Si3N4 crystal grains in the ceramic ball is realized, and the prepared silicon nitride ceramic ball has excellent performances of high toughness, high strength, long service life and the like; and the method is suitable for high-end equipment fields such as high-speed bearings, precision machine tools and wind power generation equipment.
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