Optical and mechanical characterization of transparent α‐alumina fabricated by spark plasma sintering

• Published in: International journal of applied ceramic technology Vol. 16; no. 2; pp. 638 - 646
• Main Authors: Benaissa, Salim, Hamidouche, Mohamed, Kolli, Mostafa, Fantozzi, Gilbert
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.03.2019
• Subjects: alumina; Aluminum oxide; Coefficient of friction; Diamond pyramid hardness; Mechanical properties; Modulus of elasticity; Optical properties; optical transmission; Plasma sintering; Rapid prototyping; Spark plasma sintering; transparent
• ISSN: 1546-542X; 1744-7402
• DOI: 10.1111/ijac.13109

The aim of this work was the analysis of the experimental results of a transparent alumina (BMA15) ceramic which was fabricated by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) from nanopowder (BMA15, Baikowski Chimie, France), at different temperatures (1200°C, 1250°C, 1300°C). With the application of a maximum uniaxial pressure of 73 MPa during all the fabrication‐cycle (more than 3 hours). We sought an optimal sintering temperature combining better optical and mechanical properties of our pellets. The sintered alumina (BMA15) has a crystalline and dense microstructure. The samples sintered at 1200°C exhibit the best optical properties, in particular: good real inline transmission (RIT) and an optical gap greater than those of the samples sintered at 1250°C and 1300°C. Due to their low density, the Young modulus of alumina sintered at 1200 °C, deduced by ultrasound, has a low value which is about 385 GPa. Similarly, its small grain size gives it a better Vickers hardness ~ 21 GPa. Therefore, the value of the coefficient of friction μ stabilizes around the mean value of 0.21.