Question

Why is the name of Si3N4 silicon nitride even though it has covalent bonds?

Answer 1

Pure silicon nitride is difficult to produce as a fully dense material. This covalently bonded material does not readily sinter and cannot be heated over 1850°C as it dissociates into silicon and nitrogen.

Answer 2

$\textrm {Silicon nitride}$  $\mathrm {(Si_{3}N_{4})}$ $\textrm {is a chemical compound containing silicon and nitrogen.}$

$\textrm {Due it to its high thermodynamic stability, it is relatively chemically}\\\textrm {inert and very hard in nature.}$

$\textrm {Until 1960, it was widely believed covalent compounds could not be}\\\textrm {sintered, a process of converting a powdered material into a solid mass.}$

$\textrm {Since the title of the compound was already given at the time,} \\\textrm {it was not changed later on.}$