Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Alumina Green Compact during Sintering at Relative Low Temperature

Abstract

Recently, ceramics was used extensively as structural materials and ceramics components became larger and more complex. Fracture sometimes occurs during firing because of large and complex shape, and this fracture interrupts manufacturing process. The simulation of sintering has been studied to prevent this fracture. However, it was difficult to simulate fracture process because there was little data on strength of green compact. It is necessary to measure strength during sintering in order to perform a useful simulation. In this study, we measured strength of two kind of alumina green compact during sintering. Three point bending test at elevated temperature was performed and strength was estimated at each temperature. A model for strength at relative low temperature was also proposed using the temperature dependence of specific surface area. Furthermore, fracture toughness test was performed and the relationship between strength and fracture toughness was obtained. Strength at relative low temperature increased with temperature. Fracture toughness was proportional to strength at the temperature range where materials demonstrated brittle fracture manner. Strength of each alumina was analyzed using this model.