APPLICATION OF GELCASTING METHOD IN CERAMIC-METAL COMPOSITE FABRICATION

An attempt has been made to prepare Al2O3/Ni composites with 1 vol.% metal particles by the gelcasting method. Alumina matrix composites with an addition of nickel particles, already used in industry, are produced by various methods. Unfortunately, there is a problem to obtain elements of a complex shape characterized by a uniform distribution of metal particles in a ceramic matrix. For this reason, the authors have attempted to apply the gelcasting method to produce an Al2O3 + + 1 vol.% Ni composite. The electrokinetic properties of the composite slurries and the influence of the presence of nickel have been studied. The microstructure of green and sintered samples were examined with a scanning electron microscope. Selected physical properties of the composite have been described. The material in the green state was characterized by a density of about 57%, and 97% after sintering, of the theoretical density. Nickel particles were uniformly distributed in the ceramic matrix. The performed studies have confirmed the possibility of using the gelcasting method to produce an alumina-nickel composite.