Densification of Aluminum Nitride Ceramics with CaF₂ Additive

Effect of adding up to 5wt% CaF2 on the densification and microstructural development of hot pressed aluminum nitride (AlN) was investigated. SEM investigation showed that the grain size of the sintered sample decreases with the increasing content of CaF2. Secondary-phase evolution paths converge from CA6 to CA phase above 1650°C. TEM micrographs showed that formed secondary phases could evaporate from sintered bodies at higher temperatures in the carbon-containing nitrogen atmosphere and the residuals were mainly distributed at triple grain junctions, keeping direct connections of AlN grains. Translucnet AlN ceramics were prepared using CaF2 additive sintered at 1850°C for 5 h.