Processing and microstructure of Al2O3/TiO2 nanocomposite from plasma-sprayed Al2TiO5

Processing of Al2O3/TiO2 nanocomposite was investigated by high pressure sintering of an aluminum titanate powder prepared by plasma-spray Materials with varied density and grain-size/phase composition were produced with an applied pressure of IGPa, within 750-1000degreesC.. The development of the dual phase structure of Al2O3/TiO2 in this approach depends on the decomposition of the metastable aluminum titanate, which is accelerated by the high sintering pressure, plays a central role in grain-size control. This study also highlights the necessity of a high-energy ball-milling of the powder, which serves to enhance sintering and promote decomposition reaction of the titanate. Nano-nano composite with grain size of around 70 nm can be fabricated by this technique.