Fabrication of AlN ceramics with high performance and reliability by low-temperature, short-time sintering process

Dense and fine AlN ceramics were fabricated at lower sintering temperature for shorter sintering time by spark plasma sintering with low-temperature sintering additives containing small amount of boron. In addition, AlN whiskers synthesized by direct nitridation of Al containing melt were added to raw powders to control the textures of AlN ceramics. The effects of AlN whisker addition to the densification, thermal conductivity, and mechanical strength of AlN ceramics were also evaluated.