Preparation of ZrN-Si3N4 composite powder with zircon and carbon black as raw materials

ZrN-Si3N4 composite powder with low cost from zircon was prepared by carbothermal reduction-nitridation process. The influence of mass ratio of C to ZrSiO4 (m(C)/m(ZrSiO4)) and soaking time on phase composition and microstructure of the products was studied by means of XRD and SEM-EDS. The formation process of ZrN-Si3N4 composite powder was also analyzed in detail. The results show that with the increase of m(C)/m(ZrSiO4) and soaking time, the formation of Si3N4 and ZrN can be promoted obviously. The ZrN-Si3N4 composite powder with size of 1–2 μm can be obtained at 1 773 K for 12 h when m(C)/m(ZrSiO4) is 0.4.