Process for producing sialon

Abstract

A process for producing a sialon powder, which process comprises the steps of: introducing a decomposable silicon compound, decomposable aluminum compound and a decomposable carbon compound into a steam-containing hot gas to decompose said decomposable silicon compound, aluminum compound and carbon compound in said hot gas into silicon oxide, aluminum oxide and elemental carbon, respectively, thereby producing a fine solid particle mixture consisting essentially of said silicon oxide, aluminum oxide and elemental carbon to be dispersed in said gas; collecting said fine solid particle mixture dispersed in the gas from the gas phase by a solid-gas separating technique; and calcining the thus-obtained carbon-containing composition consisting essentially of said silicon oxide, aluminum oxide and elemental carbon, in a nitrogen containing gas atmosphere.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.