In this book, improvements in the heat resistance of silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) ceramics using grain boundary control and in plasticity at high temperatures using grain size control in order to reduce the cost of shaping Si₃N₄ are described.

The heat resistance of Si₃N₄ is improved by mixing a slight amount of sintering additive as an impurity into the original material powder. The author presents his findings on the high heat resistance of Si₃N₄.

Introduction: Deformation of Silicon Nitride at High Temperatures.- Preparation of nanosize silicon-nitride-based ceramics and their superplasticity.- Grain Boundary Control to Obtain Heat-Resistant Silicon Nitride.- Conclusions.