简介 |
A silicon nitride sintered body containing a beta -silicon nitride crystal phase and further containing at least a rare earth element component and an aluminium component in a grain boundary phase, wherein the intensity ratio (X2/X1) of the Si peak X2 at 521 cm-1 to the Si3N4 peak X1 at 206 cm-1, as detected by a Raman spectrochemical analysis method, is 0.2 to 3. A very minor amount of Si (elemental silicon), as detected by the Raman spectrochemical analysis method, is precipitated in the sintered body, and by this precipitation of Si, strength and toughness are markedly increased. |