Structure-property relationship and emerging applications of nano- and micro-sized fillers reinforced sialon composites: a review

Oxonitridoaluminosilicates (SiAlON) are renowned in advanced ceramics for their exceptional properties: high temperature stability, excellent oxidation resistance, and good wear resistance. Incorporating micro- and nano-sized fillers into SiAlON matrices enhances their properties, yielding SiAlON composite materials with superior mechanical, tribological, and thermal characteristics. This review examines fabrication techniques for producing SiAlON micro/nanocomposites and the structure-property relationships governing their performance across different phase compositions (β, α, X, and O-phases). A comprehensive literature review scrutinized fabrication techniques and structure-property relationships from various databases and scholarly articles. Although SiAlON composites with micro/nano inclusions hold promise across applications, understanding their fabrication processes, structure-property relationships, and potential applications in different fields is crucial. The review highlights diverse fabrication techniques for SiAlON micro/nanocomposites and provides insights into their structure-property relationships. Additionally, emerging applications in structural domains, cutting tools, coatings, corrosion protection, solar cells, LEDs, biomedical realms, and filtration membranes are discussed. This review is a valuable resource for researchers and engineers interested in designing SiAlON products tailored for sophisticated applications. It emphasizes understanding fabrication processes and structure-property relationships to unlock SiAlON-based materials' full potential across industries.