Structural, optical, morphological and thermal properties of TiO2-Al and TiO2-Al2O3 composite powders by ball milling

The microstructure and morphology of 70% TiO2-30% Al, 70% TiO2-30% Al2O3, 55% TiO2-045% Al and 55% TiO2-45% Al2O3 composite powders were prepared by Smart Mini Ball Miller. They are characterized by XRD, SEM, EDAX, FTIR and TG/DSC. The XRD results showed that composite powders were mainly in the amorphous anatase phase with high crystallinity. The SEM study of composite powders reveals the average particle size is 100±20 nm. In FTIR, peaks observed at around 460 cm−1-560 cm−1 represent bending vibrations of Ti-O-Ti groups in the composite powders. In TG/DSC analysis, there is weight gain in TiO2-Al composite powders where as weight loss in TiO2-Al2O3 composite powders. Finally, microstructure and characterizations of the composite powders during ball milling were investigated to propose an optimal route for obtaining composite powders suitable for thermal spray process.