Pulsed Electric Current Sintering of Transparent Alumina Ceramics

Abstract

Transparent Polycrystalline Al2 O3 can be produced by using PECS with advanced Al2 O3 powder. The preferred techniques of PECS to obtain better transparency in Al2 O3 are classified into the following: (1) high-pressure PECS, (2) slow-heating PECS, (3) fast-heating PECS, and (4) two-step PECS, as well as PECS with preferred additives. Influences in sintering parameters in PECS for transparent polycrystalline Al2 O3 are still not clear. At least, PECS with slow heating rate and two-step heating profile is preferred to produce transparent polycrystalline Al2 O3 . Using advanced Al2 O3 powder and PECS, agglomeration of the particles is still signif‐ icant issue in transparent polycrystalline Al2 O3 . Management of Al2 O3 powder to reduce the agglomeration is necessary to increase transparency of Al2 O3 prepare by using PECS.