Thermal shock behavior study of the micro and nano structured alumina/aluminum titnate composites prepared by in-situ reaction sintering

In the present study thermal shock behavior of monolothic alumina and two types of micro and nano aluminum tianate composites have been studied using quench-strength method. The powders were wet mixed and the slurry dried. Then the grinded powders were formed by isostatic pressing. The composites were prepared by in-situ reaction sintering of alumina with nano and micronized TiO2 addition to formation of 20 wt.% aluminum titanate as secondary phase. Investigations were carried out by s-DT curves, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analysis. The results revealed fully formation of Al2TiO5 phases in the both case of micro and nano titania as a result of Al2O3 and TiO2 reaction sintering. The nano layer structure of the Al2TiO5 was formed at the triple junction of the alumina grains. Also thermal shock values of the alumina, micro and nano composites were measured about 230, 265 and 290 °C, respectively. Thermal shock increment of the composite in the comparison of the alumina can be related to the secondary phase effect on the rising toughness curve (R-curve) and microcracking of the composites.