Colloidal processing of sol-sprayed ceramic particulate composites

Sol-gel based preparative procedures are capable of reducing the problems of particle size distribution, purity and homogeneity of the phases in ceramic particulate composites. However, the tendency for agglomeration of these powders creates serious problems for processing to shapes. The present work is a critical study of the preparation of 10% ceria-alumina composite particulates, by a mixed sol-spray technique followed by pressure filtration for final consolidation. The powder was also compacted by ceramic uniaxial dry pressing for comparison purposes. The details of powder preparation, powder characteristics, filtration conditions, compaction and sintering behaviour and the final sintered microstructural features of the compacts have been studied and evaluated.