Back to materialsSi3N4
Silicon Nitride
A reliable structural ceramic for high load, impact, rolling contact and rapid temperature cycling.
Gas-pressure sintered and hot-pressed structural ceramics
Technical specifications
Typical reference data for first-round screening.
Values are typical engineering references. Final material selection should confirm grade, process route, geometry, tolerance and test method.
| Density | 3.20-3.30 g/cm3 typical |
|---|---|
| Hardness | 14-18 GPa typical |
| Max service temperature | 1000-1200 C typical |
| Thermal conductivity | 20-35 W/m-K typical |
| Flexural strength | 700-1000 MPa typical |
| Fracture toughness | 5-8 MPa m^0.5 typical |
| Electrical behavior | Electrical insulator in many grades |
Typical applications
- Ceramic bearings, rollers and precision balls
- Welding pins, locating pins and fixtures
- Shafts and sleeves under mechanical load
- Thermal cycling fixtures for machinery and electronics
Advantages
- High flexural strength and fracture toughness
- Excellent thermal shock resistance
- Low density compared with steel and many ceramics
- Strong resistance to cyclic loading and impact
Comparison notes
- Choose Si3N4 when fracture risk matters more than maximum hardness.
- Compared with zirconia, silicon nitride is usually stronger for thermal cycling and lower-density moving parts.
Application review
Not sure if Si3N4 is the right material?
Send the working temperature, medium, wear mode, load, drawing, current failure problem and quantity. We can compare Silicon Nitride against other ceramic options.
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