Sialon® is a solid solution of Silicon Nitride with Aluminium Oxide and Aluminium Nitride. It exhibits high strength at high temperatures, is hard, tough and wear resistant. It is chemically inert and thermal shock resistant. These properties all make Sialon® ideal for foundry use, including use as containers for molten metals. Sialon® is non-wetting for most non-ferrous metals up to 1000C. It has found use as thermocouple sheaths and the high wear resistance lends itself to components such as extrusion tools drawing dies and plugs. The surface finish of Sialon® after firing may be improved by diamond grinding.