Particle formation and agglomeration of an alumina-zirconia powder synthesized an supercritical CO2 method

Alumina - 20 vol% zirconia doped with 2 mol% yttria composites were prepared by a supercritical CO2 method. The powder characteristics were examined through control of the supercritical conditions; temperature and pressure. The agglomeration degrees (N) for powders were changed from 1.2 and 5.4. As the value N become smaller or close to unity, powder agglomerates tend to approach their primary powder size. The sintered sample had hardness of 12.5 GPa. SEM and TEM characterization were used to characterize the microstructure and morphology of the prepared powders. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.