β-SiAlON Bonded Corundum Material and Its Application as Sliding Gate Plate for Continuous Casting

β-sialon bonded corundum-based sliding gate plate was developed from raw materials of Al, metallic silicon and alumina through nitriding-reaction process. It was found that the effects of β-sialon content on the physical properties are significant and the mechanical properties of developed sliding gate plate are strongly related to the Z-value. The materials with Z value of 2 and 20wt% β-sialon, exhibit the highest hot modulus of rupture and cold crushing strength. It was also found that sialon bonded corundum-based material has good oxidation resistance because a protective layer is formed during oxidation process.