Microwave Processing of Redox Ceramic-Metal Composites

Ceramic-metal composites have been produced through the reduction of copper oxide (CuO) and the oxidation of aluminum in a reducing atmosphere. Fine powders of CuO and Al (<38μm) were mixed with yttria stabilized zirconia, ball milled and uniaxially pressed into disc samples. Microwave hybrid heating was used to process samples using β-SiC and activated carbon powder as susceptors. Pyrolysis of the carbon provided the reducing atmosphere. The resulting Ctt/Al2O3/Y-ZrO2 composite was analyzed for density, compressive strength and resistivity.