Alumina matrix ceramic-nickel composites formed by gelcasting method
Aleksandra Miazga, Katarzyna Konopka, Magdalena Gizowska, Mikołaj Szafran
Quarterly No. 2, 2012 pages 138-141
DOI:
keywords: cermetals, alumina, nickel, gelcasting
abstract Currently, much attention has been focused on the development of ceramic composites with metallic particles due to their higher strength as well other properties compared to monolithic ceramic. Traditional methods of powder metallurgy are not capable of obtaining composite materials products of any shape in an uncomplicated way. For this reason, attempts have been made to adapt the gelcasting method (initially used only for ceramic powder) to obtain cermets. In the paper, the results concerning alumina-nickel ceramic composites fabrication via the gelcasting method are presented. The paper presents the effect of the addition of nickel on the polymerization time of composite slurries. The characteristics of selected physical and mechanical properties of composites containing 5 vol% and 10 vol% of nickel have been described and compared to the results achieved for 100% Al2O3. Tests were conducted for the green body and for sintered samples. Observations of the microstructure of the produced Al2O3-Ni composites are also presented. Computer image analysis was performed for the nickel particles in the composites. The obtained results confirmed the possibility of applying the gelcasting method for the preparation of alumina-nickel composites.