Optical, Mechanical and Tribological Properties of $Y_2O_3$ $Er_2O_3$ and $Nd_2O_3$ Doped Polycrystalline Silicon Nitride Ceramics

$Y_2O_3$ $Er_2O_3$ and $Nd_2O_3$ doped polycrystalline silicon nitride were prepared by hot pressed sintering at $1850^{\circ}C$ and their optical transmittance were investigated in visible and in infrared region. Mechanical and tribological properties were also investigated. Grain growth in silicon nitride was reduced with addition of $Y_2O_3$ and $Nd_2O_3$. 1 wt.% of each rare earth metal were sintered with 3 wt.% MgO, 9wt.% AlN and 87 wt.% of ${\alpha}-Si_3N_4$. Adding these rare earth metal oxides shows good mechanical properties as high strength and toughness and also shows low friction coefficient.