- P-ISSN 1225-0163
- E-ISSN 2288-8985
<TEX>$Si_3N_4$</TEX> powders were mixed with sintering additives(<TEX>$3Y_2O_3{\cdot}5Al_2O_3$</TEX>, YAG) by coprecipitation method. Mixing homogeneity, sintered and mechanical properties of coprecipitation-mixed powder compacts were compared with those of mechanically-mixed ones. SIMS-analysis for composition on the surface and in the matrix of prepared powder mixtures showed that the added YAG exists mainly on the <TEX>$Si_3N_4$</TEX> powder surfaces in a form of coating. From this result it could be concluded that coprecipitation method is superior to mechanical mixing in the mixing homogeneity. This mixing homogeneity can accompany an improvement in sintered density, microstructure and consequently the mechanical properties of sintered bodys.