Fast synthesis of MgAl2O4?W and MgAl2O4?W?W2B composite powders by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis reactions

MgAl₂O₄?W and MgAl₂O₄?W?W₂B composite powders were obtained rapidly in a single step by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis of WO₃?Mg?xAl₂O₃ and WO₃?B₂O₃?Mg?yAl₂O₃ systems. The addition of various Al₂O₃ contents (x and y-values) to the starting materials was considered as the main synthesis parameter. Thermodynamic calculations revealed that the adiabatic temperature of both systems was decreased with increasing Al₂O₃ content. The XRD results indicated that after acid leaching of the WO₃?Mg?xAl₂O₃ combustion products, W and MgAl₂O₄ were formed as the main phases and WO₂, MgWO₄ and Al₂O₃ as the minor constituents in the final composite. On the other hand, MgAl₂O₄?W composites were synthesized in the WO₃?B₂O₃?Mg?yAl₂O₃ system at y<1.4 mol. By increasing the y-value to 2.1 mol, W₂B was formed as a new product leading to production of MgAl₂O₄?W?W₂B composite. The formation of spinel was confirmed by the Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy analysis. Microstructure observations represented the uniform distribution of MgAl₂O₄ blocks within the fine spherical W particles. The melting of Al₂O₃ was found as a vital step for rapid synthesis of MgAl₂O₃ by the SHS route. Finally, the possible formation mechanism of MgAl₂O₄ during the combustion synthesis was proposed.