Papers by Author: Xiao Hu Chen

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the possibility of rod-like Al2TiO5 / α-Al2O3 composites in situ formation via a mechanical activation process. A QM-ISP-4 Planetary Mill was employed to activate mechanically the mixtures of anatase and corundum in air at room temperature for different times. The milled powder mixtures were pressed into platelets and then sintered in air at 1300°C for 3 h. The XRD results showed that only Al2TiO5 and α-Al2O3 phases could be detected in the sintered samples when the activated time reached 30 hours. The SEM observations illustrated the unusual microstructure of Al2TiO5 / α-Al2O3 ceramic composite materials. Abnormal grains with longitudinal length ~10 μm23 transversal length ~1 μm and equiaxed matrix grains of ~3 μm on an average were observed. EDXA proved that the rod-like grains and the fine equiaxed matrix grains were composed of Al2TiO5 and α-Al2O3, separately. The roles of anisotropic grain growth caused by mechanical activation are discussed for the in situ formation of rod-like Al2TiO5 / α-Al2O3 ceramic composite materials.

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the possibility of rod-like Al2TiO5 formation via a mechanical activation process. A QM-ISP-4 Planetary Mill was employed to activate mechanically the mixtures of anatase and corundum in air at room temperature for different times. The milled powder mixtures were then sintered in air at 1300°C for 1 h. The XRD results showed that the milled powder mixtures were completely transformed into Al2TiO5 after sintering, except the mixtures milled for 5 and 10 hours. The SEM observations showed the typical morphology of rod-like Al2TiO5 vary in the range: widths from 0.6 to 1.2 μm, and lengths from 3.0 to 6.0 μm. The rod-like Al2TiO5 formation was attributed to the positive effects caused by the mechanical activation.