Mechanical Properties and Fabrication of Nanostructured Al2TiO5 Compound by Pulsed Current Activated Sintering

Abstract

Nano powders of Al2O3 and TiO2 compounds made by high energy ball mining were pulsed current activated sintered for studying their sintering behaviors and mechanical properties. The advantage of this process is that it allows very quick densification to near theoretical density and inhibition of grain growth. Nano-structured Al2TiO5 with small amount of Al2O3 and TiO2 was formed by sintering at 1300 degrees C for 5 minute, in which average grain size was about 96 nm. Hardness and fracture toughness of the nano-structured Al2TiO5 compound with a small amount of Al2O3 and TiO2 were 602 kg/mm(2) and 2.6 MPa.m(1/2), respectively.