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Application of Silicon Nitride Ceramics in Sports Protection: Whiskers Toughening Mechanism and Impact Fracture Behavior

Xiaoqin Xu

Journal of Ceramic Science and Technology · Early View (advance online publication) (-1), pp. 1-12

DOI: 10.4416/JCST2026-00004

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Abstract

Silicon nitride (Si3N4) ceramics have emerged as promising candidates for high-performance sports protection equipment due to their exceptional combination of mechanical properties, including high hardness, excellent wear resistance, and superior fracture toughness. This study systematically investigates the application potential of silicon nitride ceramics in sports protection through comprehensive characterization of whisker-reinforced composites. Silicon carbide (SiC) whiskers were incorporated into the Si3N4 matrix at varying concentrations (0 – 30 vol%) to enhance fracture toughness and impact resistance. The materials were fabricated by means of hot isostatic pressing (HIP) at 1 750 °C under 200 MPa nitrogen pressure. Characterization techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and mechanical testing were employed to evaluate microstructure-property relationships. The results demonstrate that 20 vol% SiC whisker addition achieves optimal toughening, with fracture toughness reaching 12.6 MPa·m¹/², which represents a 260 % improvement over monolithic Si3N4. The Vickers hardness ranges from 15.5 to 20.7 GPa, while flexural strength varies between 600 – 980 MPa depending on whisker content and orientation. Impact testing reveals energy absorption capacities of 15 – 28 J for optimized compositions, significantly exceeding conventional polymer-based protective materials. The toughening mechanisms, including whisker pull-out, crack deflection, and bridging, were analyzed by means of fracture surface examination. These findings establish silicon nitride-based ceramics as viable next-generation materials for high-impact sports protection applications, offering superior protection-to-weight ratios compared to existing solutions.

Keywords

Silicon nitride, SiC whiskers, fracture toughness, ceramic composites, toughening mechanisms

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