Effect of B2O3 addition on the sintering of alpha-Al2O3

Boron-containing alumina materials in the Al2O3-B2O3 binary phase system have attracted special attention recently due to the stable, whisker-like crystalline compound aluminum borate (9Al(2)O(3).2B(2)O(3)). Hence in this study, the effect of the addition of B2O3 UP to 1.5 wt% on the sintering characteristics of alpha-Al2O3 has been investigated in the sintering temperature range of 1450-1650 degrees C. The effect of B2O3 addition on the bulk density and porosity, on the mechanical properties and on the microstructure of alpha-Al2O3 have been elucidated. The formation and the stability of the aluminum borate phase was also investigated in the range of sintering temperatures studied.