Microstructure-controlled effects on temperature reduction of α-Al2O3 crystallite formation

The inter-particle relationship effects on a temperature reduction and simultaneity of α-crystallite formation during θ- to α-phase transformation were examined using DTA, XRD, and TEM techniques. Three powder systems derived from the same θ-powder of average crystallite size 15.2 nm were prepared, with the intention of creating different microstructure for each powder systems as: (1) as-received, (2) pre-treated by homogenization with a mechanical stirring accompanied by pH adjustment for dispersion, and (3) homogenized and additionally uniaxial-pressed to compacts with higher bulk density. Activation energies of θ-crystallite growth occurring in the three powder systems were also obtained based on an isothermal model of grain growth rate equation. It is found that the temperature reduction characteristics can be related to the homogeneity as well as the inter θ-Al2O3 crystallite distances behaved by the θ-crystallites. Higher homogeneity and shorter inter-crystallite distance for the θ-powder systems may favor the α-crystallite formation at lower temperatures over a shorter duration of phase transformation. Furthermore, activation energies of θ-crystallite growth can be reduced. And α-Al2O3 powders fabricated can be mono-sized and free of vermicular growth.