Influence of Phase Composition on Sintered Microstructure of Combustion Synthesized Oxides
The effects of powders synthesis methods (urea-combustion synthesis (CS) and conventional solid-state (SS) reaction) on the sintering ability, microstructural features, and mechanical properties ofAl2O3,MgAl2O4spinel, and 20 wt.% ZrO2–MgAl2O4upon sintering at 1625C∘were investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), relative density (RD), apparent porosity and water absorption capacity, hardness, fracture toughness, and three-point bend test studies revealed the superior sintering ability of CS ZrO2-MgAl2O4composite powder as compared with one prepared by SS reaction. In contrast, single-phase powders obtained by SS reaction exhibit superior sintering ability over CS synthesized ones. The reasons for differences observed are discussed along this paper.