• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
• /
• v.18 no.6
• /
• pp.237-241
• /
• 2008

Hot-press sintering of AlN ceramics were carried out with $Y_2O_3$ as sintering additive at a sintering temperature $1,750{\sim}1,850^{\circ}C$. The effect of $Y_2O_3$ addition and sintering time on sintering behavior and thermal conductivity of AlN ceramics was investigated. $Y_2O_3$ added AlN showed noticeably higher denazification rate than pure AlN. The thermal conductivity of AlN specimens was promoted by the addition of $Y_2O_3$ in spite of the formation of YAG secondary phase in AlN grain boundaries and grain boundary triple junction because $Y_2O_3$ addition could reduced the oxygen contents in AlN lattice which is primary factor of thermal conductivity. Typically, the thermal conductivity of 5 wt% $Y_2O_3$ added specimen was dramatically improved by the increase of sintering time because the elimination of YAG secondary phases from the grain boundary due to the evaporation, as well as the grain-growth of AlN grains.