Method of Coating Silicon Nitride Bodies.

This invention relates to an improved method for coating porous silicon nitride with silicon using a wetting aid is presented wherein the porous silicon nitride is coated with successive layers of titanium and silicon, by any known technique. Preferably, the silicon is applied in the form of a slurry. The specimen is then dried for several hours to remove residual liquids. In the final step the specimen is placed upon triangular boron nitride knife edges in a boron nitride coated silicon nitride crucible. The crucible is placed within a furnace and the specimen is heated to a temperature which melts the silicon. This results in a uniform coating of silicon upon the silicon nitride.