Liquid phase formation in the system AlN–Al2O3–Y2O3. Part I: Experimental investigations

The liquid phase formation in the system AlN–Al2O3–Y2O3 was investigated via differential thermal analysis (DTA) combined with thermogravimetry (TG). For this purpose 17 samples covering a broad composition area of the quasi-ternary system were densified and heat-treated to achieve the equilibrium state. Melting temperatures were determined by DTA. SEM, EDX and XRD were used to study the phase assemblages and microstructures formed. The results were compared with thermodynamic calculations.