Preparation of multilayered C–Si–Al2O3 coatings on continuous carbon fibers and C–Si–Al2O3-coated carbon-fiber-reinforced hydroxyapatite composites

Multilayered C–Si–Al coatings with various morphologies were deposited on carbon fibers (CFs) using magnetron sputtering. The thickness of the coatings was increased from 0.5 to 1.5 μm by magnetron sputtering between 90 and 120 min. C–Si–Al coatings of suitable thickness were heat-treated at 600 °C and transformed into C–Si–Al₂O₃ coatings by one-step anodic oxidation (AO). The oxidation time for the one/two-step anodic oxidation and the ratio of oxidation time for the two-step anodic oxidation significantly influenced the morphologies of the C–Si–Al₂O₃(AO) coatings. Al₂O₃ coatings with satisfactory morphologies and structures were prepared by two-step anodic oxidation with a total time of 30 min and a ratio of 1:1 between the initial and secondary oxidation times. The multilayered C–Si–Al₂O₃(AO) coatings were modified to C–Si–Al₂O₃ coatings by secondary heat treatment at 1050 °C. Subsequently, hot-press sintering was used to prepare CFs with multilayered C–Si–Al₂O₃ coating-reinforced hydroxyapatite (CF/C–Si–Al₂O₃/HA) composites. The multilayered C–Si–Al₂O₃-coated CFs demonstrated good resistance to oxidation and thermal shock. This could effectively protect CFs from oxidative damage and maintain its strengthening effect during sintering. The multilayered C, Si, and Al₂O₃ coatings effectively reduced the difference between the coefficient of thermal expansion of the CFs and HA matrixes. The interfacial gaps between the multilayered coatings and HA were reduced. This could enhance the mechanical performance of the composites. The CF/C–Si–Al₂O₃/HA composites exhibited improved mechanical properties with a bending strength of 83.94 ± 12.29 MPa, and fracture toughness of 2.45 ± 0.08 MPa m^1/2. This study can broaden the application of CF/C–Si–Al₂O₃/HA biocomposites as bone-repair materials and help obtain CF-reinforced composites with excellent mechanical properties that are fabricated or serviced at high temperatures.     

Preparation and application of an ultraviolet curable coating containing nanoscale α‐aluminum oxide

This study focuses on the preparation of an organic–inorganic ultraviolet (UV) curable coating containing the nanoscale α‐aluminum oxide (α‐Al₂O₃) powder and UV curable resin. This developed coating can form a protection film on the poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) plastic tile surface. Thus, the abrasion resistance of the PVC plastic tile surface is improved. Besides, the adhesion between this UV cured film and the PVC plastic tile surface is well. After treatment with the UV curable coating that contains 6 wt % α‐Al₂O₃, the abrasion resistance of the PVC plastic tile surface can be improved up to 57%. From the result of a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) mapping photograph, it shows that the nanoscale α‐Al₂O₃ powder is well dispersed in the cured coating film. Under the wavelength of the visible light in the range of 400–800 nm, the degree of transparency for the coated film on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) sheet is about 82–90%. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 5747–5752, 2006     

Al2O3/CrAlSiN multilayer coating deposited using hybrid magnetron sputtering and atomic layer deposition

In this study, Al₂O₃/CrAlSiN multilayer coatings with various periods were prepared using a hybrid process involving overlapping magnetron sputtering of CrAlSiN and atomic layer deposition (ALD) of Al₂O₃. The influence of the number of Al₂O₃ layers on the mechanical properties, corrosion behavior and oxidation characteristics of the coatings was studied using nano/micro indentation, electrochemical corrosion, and high temperature static oxidation tests. The results show that the multilayer structure can effectively prevent crack propagation during the coating and subsequently increase the coating toughness. A substantial improvement in the resistance to electrochemical and oxidation corrosion was observed in the Al₂O₃/CrAlSiN multilayer coatings and increasing the number of Al₂O₃ layers dramatically increases the corrosion durability. The Al₂O₃ ALD layers are expected to inhibit the diffusion of corrosive substances such as ions and oxygen and the increase of the Al₂O₃ layer number decreases the diffusion fluxes of the coating elements to the surface and limit the oxide growth, resulting in the evolution of the oxidation produces from irregular particles to nano-walls/fibers. It is supposed that the PVD/ALD hybrid process may open a new hard coating design concept by providing a superior toughness and corrosion/oxidation resistance.     

High-temperature mechanical property and thermal shock resistance of Al2O3f/Al2O3 composites

Continuous alumina fiber–reinforced alumina matrix composites (Al₂O_3f/Al₂O₃ composites) were produced via sol–gel process, then the high-temperature mechanical property and thermal shock resistance of Al₂O_3f/Al₂O₃ composites were investigated. The results showed that the composites exhibited excellent high-temperature properties. The mechanical property of the composites was affected by heat treatment (prepared at 1100°C exhibited the most desirable mechanical property). The tensile strength of the composites abruptly decreased at higher temperatures. Although the mechanical property of the composites deteriorated after the thermal shock test was conducted at high temperatures, they exhibited excellent thermal shock resistance. After 50 thermal shock tests conducted at 1300 and 1500°C, the flexural strength of the composites was found to be 124.34 and 93.04 MPa, thus showing a decrease in strength with the increasing temperature.     

Preparation of Al2O3 coating on TiN coating by polymer-assisted deposition to improve oxidation resistance in coking inhibition applications

In order to inhibit the metal catalytic coking and improve oxidation resistance of single TiN coating, the TiN/Al₂O₃ double layer coatings were designed as a chemically inert coating for methylcyclohexane supercritical pyrolysis. Internal TiN coatings were prepared by atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition using TiCl₄–H₂–N₂ system. The external Al₂O₃ coatings with different thicknesses were prepared on the TiN surface by polymer-assisted deposition, and the coating with the most suitable thickness was further annealed at different temperatures of 600, 700, 800 and 900 °C. The morphology, elemental and phase composition of TiN/Al₂O₃ coatings were characterized by SEM, EDX and XRD respectively. The chemical state information of the coating elements was based on Ti 2p, Al 2p core level X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra. The results indicated that the external Al₂O₃ coating will partially peel off at 900 °C annealing temperature. The thermogravimetric analysis results indicated that all TiN/Al₂O₃ coatings show better oxidation resistance than single-layer TiN coating. The anti-coking test with methylcyclohexane supercritical pyrolysis showed that the TiN/Al₂O₃ coatings can effectively cover the metal catalytic sites and eliminate metal catalytic coking. However, the acid sites of external Al₂O₃ coating slightly promoted coking, so the anti-coking ratios of TiN/Al₂O₃ coatings were smaller than that of TiN. Thus, the addition of external Al₂O₃ coating can greatly improve the oxidation resistance of TiN coatings with little loss of coking resistance.     

Mechanism of in-situ formation of spinel and its effect on the mechanical properties of Al2O3–C refractories

This work looked at the in-situ formation mechanism of magnesia alumina spinel in Al₂O₃–C refractories with magnesia addition at different firing temperatures. A comprehensive study on the mechanical properties of Al₂O₃–C refractories was performed in comparison to traditional analogs. The magnesia alumina spinel was in-situ formed at the firing temperature of 1150 °C in Al₂O₃–C refractories. With the increase of the firing temperature, the Al₂O₃ phase was gradually dissolved in spinel phase to form aluminum rich spinel phase, resulting in a decrease in its lattice constant due to the defects formation. The formed spinel phase was homogenously distributed and bonded well with corundum, improving the interfacial bond, load transferring capacity and crack propagation resistance. The formation of spinel phase also enhanced the sintering of the alumina matrix owing to the solid solution of alumina in the spinel. Therefore, the mechanical properties such as cold modulus of rupture and hot modulus of rupture in Al₂O₃–C refractories achieved a substantial enhancement compared with traditional refractories.     

Effect of partial substitution of alumina–chromium slag for Al2O3 on microstructures and properties of Al2O3–SiC–C trough castables

Alumina–chromium slag (ACS), a cheap and abundant refractory raw material comprising aluminum–chromium oxides and β-Al₂O₃, is a byproduct of ferrochrome smelting. For this reason, we investigated the relationships between composition and mechanical properties, abrasion resistance, oxidation resistance, and resistance to iron slag erosion for Al₂O₃–SiC–C trough castables in which ACS was substituted for alumina. Due to the presence of β-Al₂O₃ in ACS, the aluminum-chromium slag reacted with SiO₂ to form a low-melting phase of albite and promoted the formation of mullite, which filled the pores at high temperatures and reduced the porosity, thereby promoting densification and strengthening of the sample. The cold mechanical properties of the sample and the normal temperature wear resistance were enhanced, but the high-temperature mechanical properties and the resistance to iron slag corrosion of the sample were impaired. According to the results of the anti-oxidation experiment, the presence of β-Al₂O₃ in the ACS reduced the porosity and made the sample more dense, which remarkably improved oxidation resistance of the sample. For industrial production requirements, ACS substitution should not exceed 48?wt% due to of thermomechanical properties and anti-slag corrosion performance in Al₂O₃–SiC–C trough castables.     

In situ formation mechanism of aluminum oxycarbonitride in the unoxidized zone of Al–Al2O3 composites

The Al–Al₂O₃ composites were prepared by fused alumina, α-Al₂O₃ micropowders, and metal aluminum powder. The samples with 3% carbon black (N330), 3% resin powder and α-Al₂O₃ micropowder, 10% α-Al₂O₃ micropowder were named S1, S2, and S3, respectively. They were oxidized at 1500 °C for 3 h in a box-type electric furnace, and then the unoxidized areas were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the aluminum oxycarbonitride formed in situ during the oxidation resistance test inhibited further oxidation of S2. The in situ formation mechanism of aluminum oxycarbonitride in the unoxidized zone is believed to be 7Al + 3Al₃C₄ + 12AlN + 4Al₂O₃ = 12Al₃CON, which is also verified and proven by XRD, SEM and EDS in this work. The oxidation depth of S2 is 46.7% lower than that of S3. Sample S2 hardly has any linear change after fired at 1500 °C × 3 h in coke, which benefits to improve the volume stability and prolongs the service life. Among the three batches, S2 exhibits the minimum creep rate, from 0% to 0.026% at 1500 °C, and the HMOR at 1500 °C in a N₂ atmosphere of S2 is 58 MPa. The Al–Al₂O₃ composites combined with resin strengthened by in situ formed aluminum oxycarbonitride give the composites excellent high-temperature strength owing to the fiber-intersected reinforced microstructure of Al₃CON crystals at high temperature. In the Al–C–N–O system, it was found that the general formula of aluminum oxycarbonitride is expressed by Al_4n+m(C,O,N)_3n+m, and the (n, m) values are (0, 3) for Al₃CON.     

Phase evolution mechanism of non‐oxide bonded Al–Al2O3–MgO–ZrO2 composites at 1873 K in flowing nitrogen

In flowing nitrogen, non‐oxides such as Al₄O₄C, Al₂OC, Zr₂Al₃C₄, and MgAlON bonded Al₂O₃‐based composites were successfully prepared by a gaseous phase mass transfer pathway using aluminum, zirconia, alumina, and magnesia as raw materials at 1873 K, after an Al–AlN core‐shell structure was formed at 853 K. Resin bonded Al–Al₂O₃–MgO–ZrO₂ composites after sintering were characterized and analyzed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and, energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), and the influence of the MgO content on the sintered composites was studied. The results show that after sintering, the phase composition of the Al–Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ composite is Al₂O₃, Al₄O₄C, Al₂OC, and Zr₂Al₃C₄, while the phase composition of the Al–Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ composite with the addition of MgO 6 wt% and MgO 12 wt% is Al₂O₃, MgAlON, Al₄O₄C, Al₂OC, and Zr₂Al₃C₄ as well as Al₂O₃, MgAlON, Al₂OC, and Zr₂Al₃C₄, respectively. The addition of MgO changed the phase composition and distribution for the resin bonded Al–Al₂O₃–MgO–ZrO₂ system composites after sintering. When the added MgO content is equal to or more than 12 wt%, the Al₄O₄C in the resin bonded Al–Al₂O₃–MgO–ZrO₂ system composites is unable to exist in a stable phase.     

Photocurrents in crystal-amorphous hybrid stannous oxide/alumina binary nanofibers

Suppression of charge recombination by thin amorphous alumina layers on metal oxide semiconductors has demonstrated a vital role in electronic appliances beside its role as an insulator. This study reports effect of amorphous alumina (Al₂O₃) on the structural, electrical, and optical properties of stannous oxide (SnO₂). The samples for the present study are prepared as nanofibers by electrospinning a polymeric solution containing aluminum and stannous precursors and subsequent annealing; six samples with varying concentrations of aluminum and stannous are considered. A crystal-amorphous SnO₂/Al₂O₃ hybrid system was confirmed by both XRD and XPS analysis. Both BET and Mott-Schottky analysis showed increase in the surface area and conduction band minimum of the sample with increase in the Al content, however, at the expense of its electrical conductivity. The electron lifetime of the sample increased with increase in the Al content, but the electron transport time increase with decrease in the electrical conductivity of the sample. Both Urbach energy measurement and Stoke's shift showed generation of deeper trap state with increase in the Al content. Investigation on sample photovoltaic performance showed that the loss in electrical conductivity of the sample can be compensated by the improved surface area to a certain extent. Interestingly, a composite nanofiber containing equal molar fraction of aluminum and stannous showed orders of magnitude higher photocurrent despite its similar resistivity as that of pure alumina fibers, which is shown to originate from a Fermi energy gradient at the Al₂O₃/SnO₂ interface.     

Combustion Prevention of Iron Powders by a Novel Coating Method

The effectiveness of a novel coating method in providing fine iron powder particles with a protective barrier against rapid oxidation was systematically studied. Particles were individually coated with an alumina‐based (Al₂O₃) ultra‐thin film using the Atomic Layer Deposition method. The oxidation resistance of the coating layer was found to be greatly dependent on the film thickness. Furthermore, for each film thickness there was a corresponding temperature above which the film drastically lost its protective effectiveness, primarily due to cracking caused by the thermal expansion mismatch between the particle and the alumina film. This problem was largely overcome when, instead of Al₂O₃, the protective film was generated from alternating layers of Al₂O₃/ZnS to ensure that the thermal expansion properties of the resultant film matched that of iron. The technique employed in this study is quite robust and can be adapted for combustion prevention in other types of metal powders.     

Synthesis and characterization of corrosion-resistant and biocompatible Al2O3–TiB2 nanocomposite films on pure titanium

Alumina is widely used as a coating on a metal implant due to its favorable mechanical and biological properties. In this research, in order to improve mechanical and biological properties of alumina, a composition of nanoparticles of alumina (instead of microparticles) and titanium diboride micro powder is introduced. The atmospheric plasma spray (APS) technique was applied to deposit Al₂O₃–TiB₂ on the pure titanium substrate. The properties of Al₂O₃–TiB₂ nanocomposite coatings with various weight percent of TiB₂ (20, 30 and 40 wt%) were experimentally studied. The characteristics of nanocomposite films of TiB₂ (20, 30 and 40 wt%) were analyzed using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive electron spectroscopy (EDX) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) tests. The XRD spectra exhibited that in addition to alumina and titanium diboride, the films contained titania. Thickness and morphology of the films were calculated from FE-SEM images and the thickness of the optimized coating (Al₂O₃-30 wt% TiB₂) was about 30–45 μm. Also, the roughness, corrosion resistance, hardness and cytotoxicity (MTT) tests were studied. The highest of hardness and roughness of the samples were obtained from Al₂O₃-30 wt% TiB₂. According to the obtained results from the polarization test, Al₂O₃-30 wt% TiB₂ coating had the highest corrosion resistance (222558.9962 Ω cm²). Therefore, the toxicity of Al₂O₃-30 wt% TiB₂ was investigated as the optimized coating and the results confirmed its non-toxicity and biocompatibility.     

Enhanced oxidation resistance of low-carbon MgO–C refractories with Al3BC3–Al antioxidants: A synergistic effect

The synergistic effects of Al₃BC₃–Al antioxidants on optimizing the oxidation resistance of low-carbon MgO–C refractories were investigated. The results indicated that the oxidation index and rate constant of low-carbon MgO–C refractories with optimized Al₃BC₃–Al additions were 13% and 1.10 × 10⁻⁴ cm² min⁻¹ at 1400°C for 3 h, respectively, which is much lower than that of Al or Al₃BC₃ containing ones. Single Al₃BC₃ is not a suitable antioxidant for low-carbon MgO–C refractories; however, if Al₃BC₃ was initially protected and Al reacted as the antioxidant, enhanced oxidation resistance at high temperature can be achieved. The formation of dense MgO–MgAl₂O₄–Mg₃B₂O₆ layer contributed to superior oxidation resistance, and the temperature for the generation of this layer was as low as 1100°C due to liquid and vapor phase–assisted reactions with Al₃BC₃–Al. Furthermore, a self-repairing function was achieved at 1600°C with the combination of Al₃BC₃–Al additions in spite of the faster oxidation rate.     

Influence of Ti3AlC2 addition on water vapor resistance of low-carbon Al2O3–C refractories

Al₂O₃–C refractories are potential candidates for use in gasifiers, and they are Cr₂O₃-free. However, the oxidation of the carbon species and ceramic phases within the high-temperature water vapor environment may deteriorate the integrity of the working lining. Ti₃AlC₂ has been verified as an effective antioxidant for Al₂O₃–C refractories in air. In this study, the structural transformation of Ti₃AlC₂ during heat treatment and the water vapor resistance of Ti₃AlC₂-containing Al₂O₃–C refractories are investigated. The results show that the oxidation of Ti₃AlC₂ and Si in the matrix contributes to the in situ formation of a multilayer core–shell structure of TiC–AlTi₂O₅–Al₆Si₂O₁₃. These structural evolutions improve densification and stimulate pore size refinement, which enhances the mechanical properties and thermal stress resistance of the specimens. In particular, the refined pore size contributes to the significantly improved water vapor resistance at high temperatures.     

Oxidation resistance of Ni-toughened Al2O3

Adding nickel inclusions into alumina can enhance its strength and toughness. However, the oxidation resistance of alumina is degraded due to the presence of metallic nickel. In the present study, the oxidation kinetics of Ni-toughened Al₂O₃ in the temperature region from 1000 to 1300 °C are investigated. In the Al₂O₃/Ni composites, the Ni inclusions are isolated to each other within the Al₂O₃ matrix as the Ni content is less than 15 vol.%. The oxidation of the composites is mainly a diffusional process, nickel ions diffuse out and oxygen ions diffuse in. A dense NiAl₂O₄ spinel is formed on the surface of the composite after oxidation. The oxidation rate constants of the alumina incorporated with isolated Ni inclusions are in a comparable range with those of hot-pressed silicon nitride.     

Protective properties of Al2O3 + TiO2 coating produced by the electrostatic spray deposition method

Mechanical resistance of Al₂O₃ + TiO₂ nanocomposite ceramic coating deposited by electrostatic spray deposition method onto X10CrAlSi18 steel to thermal and slurry tests was investigated. The coating was produced from colloidal suspension of TiO₂ nanoparticles dispersed in 3 wt% solution of Al₂(NO₃)₃, as Al₂O₃ precursor, in ethanol. TiO₂ nanoparticles of two sizes, 15 nm and 32 nm, were used in the experiments. After deposition, coatings were annealed at various temperatures, 300, 1000 and 1200 °C, and next exposed to cyclic thermal and slurry tests. Regardless of annealing temperature and the size of TiO₂ nanoparticles, the outer layer of all coatings was porous. The first five thermal cycles caused a rapid increase of aluminum content of the surface layer to 30–37 wt%, but further increase in the number of thermal cycles did not affect the aluminum content. The oxidation rate of coating-substrate system was lower during the thermal tests than during annealing. The oxidation rate was also lower for smaller TiO₂ particles (15 nm) forming the coating than for the larger ones (32 nm). The protective properties of Al₂O₃ + TiO₂ coating against intense oxidation of substrate were lost at 1200 °C. Slurry tests showed that coatings annealed at 1000 °C had the best slurry resistance, but thermal tests had weakened this slurry resistance, mainly due to decreasing adhesion of the coating.     

Preparation of a thick NiAl/Al2O3 coating by embedding method and its corrosion resistance under supercritical water environment

One of the critical issues in the application of supercritical water oxidation technology is to improve the corrosion resistance of reactor materials. Use of Al₂O₃ coating is one of the most promising methods to address this issue. In this study, thick NiAl/Al₂O₃ coatings on Inconel 625 substrates were prepared by a consecutive pack embedding and in-situ thermal oxidation process. The effect of aluminizing and oxidation temperature on phase structure and coating thickness is studied. Results show the diffusion of Al from the exterior to the interior of the alloy matrix to form intermetallic compounds between Al and metal elements in the matrix (Ni, Cr, Mo, etc.). Moreover, the coating thickness can reach above 300 μm at the aluminizing temperature of 950 °C. Increasing the aluminizing temperature above 950 °C will not increase the coating thickness further. After high temperature oxidation subsequently, only phases of NiAl and Al₂O₃ were detected. The formation of Al₂O₃ layer can be ascribed to the surface oxidization of Al. And the NiAl between the alloy substrate and Al₂O₃ coating provides an interfacial layer that can alleviate the crack or exfoliation of ceramic coating due to the mismatching of thermal expand coefficient. The thick NiAl/Al₂O₃ coatings prepared by aluminizing 950 °C and oxidizing at 1100 °C exhibit satisfied corrosion resistance after supercritical water test. This work would provide a significant method to develop advanced ceramics coating for the corrosion resistance of alloys.     

Enhanced thermal shock response of Al2O3–graphite composites through a layered architectural design

The use of ceramics such as alumina in moving components often requires the addition of low friction materials such as graphite. A new strategy for improving toughness, strength, and thermal-shock resistance of Al₂O₃–graphite self-lubricating composites was proposed in this study. Alumina layers embedded between Al₂O₃–graphite layers were fabricated and tested after thermal shock conditions ranging between 500 °C and 800 °C maximum temperature. Retained strength and apparent fracture toughness after the tests were compared to room temperature values. Results show that compressive residual stresses generated in the outer Al₂O₃–graphite layers during cooling down from sintering improve the failure resistance of the materials. The introduction of heat-resistant particles (Al₂O₃ particles) into graphite layers combined with a layered architecture can greatly decrease the oxidation degradation of the materials below 500 °C. In addition, the retained strength and toughness in the layered architectures after thermal shock between 550 °C and 800 °C remains constant, thus indicating that the new-developed Al₂O₃/Al₂O₃–graphite laminated composites may be reliable candidates for self–lubricating applications also for elevated temperatures.     

High temperature oxidation behavior of MoSi2–Al2O3 composite coating on TZM alloy

A novel MoSi₂–Al₂O₃ composite coating was prepared on Mo-based TZM alloy by slurry sintering method. The oxidation behavior of the coating was evaluated at 1600 °C in static air. Microstructure and phase composition of the as-prepared and oxidized coatings were characterized, and the antioxidant mechanism of the coating at high temperature was discussed. A three-layer structure was observed in the as-prepared coating, consisting of a ～2 μm thick Mo₅Si₃ diffusion layer, a ～65 μm thick MoSi₂ inner layer and a ～36 μm thick outer layer of mixture of MoSi₂ and Al₂O₃. After oxidation at 1600 °C for 5 h, all MoSi₂ phases were completely converted to intermediate silicide Mo₅Si₃ by solid-state diffusion, and the formed Mo₅Si₃ phase would be transformed into Mo₃Si phase with further extending the oxidation time. Furthermore, a dense oxide layer of SiO₂-mullite was formed on the specimen surface, which can effectively protect the material to further oxidation. The MoSi₂–Al₂O₃ coating could protect the substrate effectively at 1600 °C for 20 h without failure. The enhanced oxidation resistance of MoSi₂–Al₂O₃ coating is due to the formation of multi-layer structure containing a SiO₂-mullite composite oxide outer layer with high thermal stability and low oxygen permeability.     

High-temperature oxidation behaviour of vacuum hot-pressed WC-15 wt% Al2O3 composites

In this study, WC-15 wt% Al₂O₃ composites were prepared using the vacuum hot-pressing sintering method. The high-temperature (600–800 °C) oxidation behaviour of WC-15 wt% Al₂O₃ composites was investigated and compared with that of WC-6wt.%Co cemented carbides. The results showed that the oxidation resistance of WC-15 wt% Al₂O₃ composites was better than that of WC-6wt.%Co cemented carbides at relatively high temperatures (700–800 °C). At 800 °C, an oxide layer was formed on the surface of WC-15 wt% Al₂O₃ composites, which included WO₃ and Al₂O₃. The dispersion of alumina in the composites hindered the further diffusion of oxygen, thus improving the oxidation resistance. The Arrhenius activation energies of WC-15 wt% Al₂O₃ composites and WC-6wt.%Co cemented carbides were 110 ± 1 kJ/mol and 167 ± 2 kJ/mol at 600–800 °C, respectively.