Influence of additives on microstructural changes in nitride bonded SiC refractories

The strength of samples doped with alumina was initially increased and then decreased at higher amount of alumina additions while the addition of magnesia decreased the strength. These phenomena could be attributed to microstructural evolution and mainly to liquid phase formation and grain morphology. It was found that the additives such as Al2O3 and MgO could modify the microstructure and influence the mechanical behavior.