Pulse Electric Current Sintering of Al2O3/3 vol% ZrO2 with Constrained Grains and High Strength |
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Authors: | D. Doni Jayaseelan N. Kondo D. Amutha Rani S. Ueno T. Ohji S. Kanzaki |
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Affiliation: | Synergy Materials Research Center, AIST, Nagoya, 463 8687, Japan |
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Abstract: | The pulse electric current sintering technique (PECS) was demonstrated to be effective in rapid densification of fine-grained Al2O3/3Y-ZrO2 using available commercial powders. The composites attained full densification (>99% of TD) at 1450°C in less than 5 min. The composites sintered at a high heating rate had a fine microstructure. The incorporation of 3 vol% 3Y-ZrO2 substantially increased the average fracture strength and the toughness of alumina to as high as 827 MPa and 6.1 MPa·m1/2, respectively. A variation in the heating rate during the PECS process influenced grain size, microstructure, and strength, though there was little or no variation in the fracture toughness. |
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Keywords: | sinter/sintering alumina zirconia |
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