Silica crucible coating based on silicon nitride ceramic: properties characterization

The present work aims to determine the mechanical, morphological, and chemical properties of silicon nitride coating applied on silica crucible substrate used for silicon production for photovoltaic applicationr to understand and thereby improve the quality of the coated silica crucible system used in this industry. To evaluate the silicon nitride coating performance, several tests have been carried out: mechanical testing using Persoz hardness, Shore hardness, Vickers hardness, and impact resistance. The chemical composition of the coating components was determined using the X-ray fluorescence technique and the morphological composition using scanning electron microscope microscopy; the physical properties of the coating suspension were determined such as: density and viscosity using a pycnometer and cup Zahn 4, respectively.