Silicon Nitride (Si3N4)
Engineering ceramic for hybrid bearings, turbo rotors and glow plugs, distinct from SiC semiconductors.
Overview
Silicon nitride (Si3N4) is a structural engineering ceramic used for hybrid rolling-element bearings, turbocharger rotors, glow plugs and other high-temperature, low-mass rotating or insulating parts. It combines low density, high hardness and thermal-shock resistance that metals and most oxides cannot match in those roles. It is not the library's silicon-carbide page, which is a wide-bandgap semiconductor for inverters, and it is not carbon-ceramic (C/SiC) brake discs. Si3N4 here is the bulk ceramic — typically sintered or hot-pressed balls, rollers, rotors and plugs. Typical buyable forms are finished balls and rollers, sintered blanks and specialised turbo wheels. Toughness is still ceramic-class; design must respect brittle failure.
Automotive Applications
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Properties
Category
Type
Engineering Ceramic
Available Forms
Key Properties
- Low density engineering ceramic
- High hardness and wear resistance
- Thermal-shock capable
- Distinct from SiC semiconductor and C/SiC discs
- Brittle compared with steel
- Sintered or hot-pressed bulk ceramic