Studies on the reaction sintered zirconia-mullite-alumina composites with titania as additive

Abstract

Zirconia-mullite-alumina composites were prepared by reaction sintering of micro fine calcined alumina and zircon flour in different ratios. TiO2 was added in different proportions as an additive and the starting materials were iso-statically pressed. The Al2O3 / ZrO2 ratios and the proportions of the TiO2 additive content were found to influence the physico-mechanical properties of the compacts significantly. The fabricated compacts exhibited exceptionally high sintered density, mechanical strength and corrosion resistance. From the micro-structural analysis of the sintered compacts it has been observed that the relative size of the ZrO2 grains and relative proportion of t-ZrO2 phase in the batches with TiO2 additive was more compared to batches without TiO2 additive.