HfN-induced phase transformation and fracture toughness improvement of α/β-Si3N4 ceramics

Key Points

• Fracture toughness improved significantly, showing a rise of approximately 20% after HfN exposure.
• Key evidence includes a detailed analysis of mechanical properties across multiple Si3N4 ceramic samples.
• Assessment involved comparative evaluation of phase transformation and toughness metrics in two Si3N4 forms—alpha and beta.
• These findings highlight the potential for utilizing HfN-enhanced Si3N4 in various industrial applications, supporting the need for further exploration.