Sc³⁺-Lu³⁺-doped α-SiAlONs

Sc³⁺ and dual Sc³⁺-Lu³⁺-doped α-SiAlON compositions were sintered by hot pressing, and the formation behavior, microstructure, and mechanical properties were assessed. It was found that the small cation Sc³⁺ could not be accommodated into the α-SiAlON structure alone. The addition of Lu₂O₃ in the composition induces the Sc³⁺ cation to enter the α-SiAlON structure, and leads to the production of α-SiAlON with an elongated-grain microstructure. Transmission electron microscopy analysis shows that α-SiAlON grains always contain an α-Si₃N₄ core, implicating heterogeneous nucleation to be in present in a mixed lutetium/scandium-doped α-SiAlON system.