Carbon reduction reaction in the Y2O3-SiO2 glass system at high temperature

The role of carbon in the grain boundary chemistry of Si3N4-based ceramics was investigated. Y2O3-SiO2 glass systems with various amounts of carbon (from 1 to 30 wt%) were prepared by high-temperature treatment in a graphite furnace. High carbon activity of the furnace atmosphere was observed, with EDX analysis indicating the formation of SiC by the carbothermal reduction of SiO2 either in the melt or in the solid state. The melting temperature of the Y2O3-SiO2 system is strongly dependent on the amount of reduced SiO2. XRD analysis of the products documented the presence of Y2Si2O7, Y2SiO5 and Y2O3 crystalline phases in that order, with an increasing amount of free C in the starting mixture. The reduction of Y2O3 was not confirmed. 9 refs.