Preparation of β-sialon from Silica-gel

To prepare f3 -sialon (Si2AIP4N4) through alumino-thermite reaction, white silica-gel with amorphous structure was reacted with aluminum at 1400 'C to 1800 'C for 0.5 to 4.0 h under nitrogen gas flow. The molar ratio of Si02to Al was 12:16 and cobalt of 8 mass% against white silica-gel was added as a reaction promoter. Sialon (Si6ozAlp,Ng) with the z-value ranging from 2.5 to 4.0 was formed at 1400 'C and 1600 'C. Aluminum compounds such as a -AI20 3, AIN and others were formed along with sialon at these temperatures. The reason why many aluminum compounds were formed is considered to be caused by volatilization of silicon as SiO gas. On the other hand, AIP3' AIN spinel and AIN were formed at 1800 'C, except sialon.