SEM and TEM Characterization of NiAl2O4 Spinel Phase in Al2O3 Matrix Ni Composite
The microstructure and crystallographic relationship development of spinel phase of the composite prepared by sintering of Al2O3 and Ni powders below the melting point of Ni was investigated. Spinel phase is distributed not uniformly and the outer region of sample contains Al2O3 and NiAl2O4 without Ni particles. The differences in the microstructure between the central and surface part of the sample was clearly demonstrated. In the central part of the sample this process was only initiated and start of this reaction can be observed at the Ni/Al2O3 interface. This distribution of spinel phase is connected with the process of its formation and stability. Analysis of the crystallographic relationship between the Ni and spinel (S) indicates that the most common is the crystallographic relationship [001] S || [001] Ni or [001] S || [111] Ni. Similarly there is some statistical preference of the crystallographic relationship between spinel and Al2O3. In this case more often observed relationship is [100] S || [111] Al2O3, however similarly as in the case of Ni some deviations of several degrees are also frequent.