Question

Which ceramic material does Si3Al3O3N5 denote?

(a) Silicon carbide

(b) Silicon nitride

(c) Sialon

(d) Silicon alumino nitrate

The question was posed to me in an interview.

This is a very interesting question from Ceramics in chapter Non Metallic Materials of Engineering Material & Metallurgy

Answer 1

Right choice is (c) Sialon

For explanation I would say: Sialon is derived from its constituents, which has been formed into an acronym Si-Al-O-N. These ceramics have good hardness, toughness, strength, and mechanical properties. They are used for cutting tool materials, dies, nozzles etc.