The paper is based on over 3500 abstracts on applications resulting from a computer-search on silicon nitride in the American Chemical Abstracts System for the years 1967-1992 carried out by the Gmelin Institute. The subject will be covered under the following headings (the figures in parentheses indicate the number of references): joining (637), coatings (431), cutting tools (300), gas turbines (261), automotive engines (245), metallurgy (223), refractories (217), general reviews (159), optical, infrared and X-rays (150), bearings (129), semiconductor technology (113), etc. The volume containing the full review of these applications will be published as Gmelin's Handbook ''Silicon'' Suppl. Vol. B5b. This volume is scheduled to be published early in 1994.