Corrosion of β-sialon-based ceramics by molten steel

The corrosion resistance of sialons made from commercial powders (AlN, Al 2O 3 and Si 3N 4) 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 μm deep, while in sample C1 it is only 260 μm. The main corrosion products are γ-Al 2O 3 and iron silicides. The phase compositions were estimated by neutron Rietveld refinement.