Preparation of γ-AlON transparent ceramics by one-step method with high-activity Al2O3 powders

Abstract

In this paper, γ-AlON transparent ceramics are fabricated by one-step method - reactived hot-pressuring sintering technology by using as-prepared γ-Al2O3 powder as raw material. And the sintering process is also improved from two aspects: adjusting sintered technique parameters and improving the sintering agents. XRD, SEM, ICP-AES analysis results show that as-prepared γ-Al2O3 powders have advantages of super-fine, high-purity and high-activity so that can meet the requirements of starting material. By adding 1wt% Y2O3 as sintering agent, single-phase γ-AlON transparent ceramic can be fabricated under the optimum technological condition: hot-pressure sintering at 1950°C for 6h, under nitrogen atmosphere. The results from XRD and SEM indicate that the γ-AlON ceramic has high density and fine microstructures with relative density of 99.22%. The test result of IR spectrum show that the ceramic yield the best transmittance of 18.42% at 2.5μm and its transmitting wavelength range extend from 1.5 to 4.5μm. © 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.