Development of High Purity Silicon Nitride Synthesis Process

Purpose and goal

The purpose of the project was to demonstrate a commercially viable process for production of silicon nitride powder with high purity. Silicon nitride is an important ceramic material for manufacture of high-strength and temperature resistant mechanical components. The process will enable proliferation of advanced materials and contribute to energy efficiency and increased use of green energy. Vi have achieved this goal, as shown through that a test production has been performed in large industrial scale, where the product has to a high degree shown to fulfill the quality criteria.

Results and expected effects

High purity can allow for new applications of silicon nitride that will be beneficial to several branches through energy efficiency, productivity increase and decreased maintenance costs. The improvement of mechanical properties enabled by use of high-purity silicon nitride will broaden the opportunities of design of critical wear components within e.g. oil and automotive industry. As the project has shown that cost efficient production is possible, we have taken an important step closer to realization of these opportunities.

Approach and implementation

A detailed experimental study was performed to identify possible cost-savings in the production process, and to find the parameters needed to realize a stable and reproducible process to manufacture high-purity silicon nitride powder. In addition, work was performed with our strategic partners to study the properties of both the silicon nitride powder from us and the sintered components made from silicon nitride from Vesta as raw material. This approach was clearly successful, and the commitment from the partners large.