Activation of consolidation processes of alumina ceramics

Abstract

The methods for activating sintering ceramics based on Al[2]O[3] by mechanical activation in the planetary mill, by adding in the mixture of nanopowders (NP) Al, Al[2]O[3], and submicron powder TiO[2], and by applying the technology of spark plasma sintering (SPS) are developed. It has been shown that adding the nanopowder up to 20 wt. % Al2O3 in a coarse powder [alpha]-Al[2]O[3] activates the sintering process resulting in increased density and hardness of the sintered alumina ceramics. Substantial effect of increasing density of alumina ceramics due to adding the submicron powder TiO[2] in the compound of initial powder mixtures has been established.