Processing of hot pressed Al2O3–Cr2O3/Cr-carbide nanocomposite prepared by MOCVD in fluidized bed

Nanosized particles dispersed uniformly on Al2O3 particles were prepared from the decomposition of precursor Cr(CO)6 by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) in a fluidized chamber. These nanosized particles consisted of Cr2O3, CrC1−x, and C. A solid solution of Al2O3–Cr2O3 and an Al2O3–Cr2O3/Cr3C2 nanocomposite were formed when these fluidized powders were pre-sintered at 1000 and 1150 °C before hot-pressing at 1400 °C, respectively. In addition, an Al2O3–Cr2O3/Cr-carbide (Cr3C2 and Cr7C3) nanocomposite was formed when the particles were directly hot pressed at 1400 °C. The interface between Cr3C2 and Al2O3 is non-coherent, while the interface between Cr7C3 and Al2O3 is semi-coherent.