Boron-containing alumina materials in the Al2O3-B2O3 binary phase syst
em have attracted special attention recently due to the stable, whiske
r-like crystalline compound aluminum berate (9Al(2)O(3).2B(2)O(3)). He
nce in this study, the effect of the addition of B2O3 UP to 1.5 wt% on
the sintering characteristics of alpha-Al2O3 has been investigated in
the sintering temperature range of 1450-1650 degrees C. The effect of
B2O3 addition on the bulk density and porosity, on the mechanical pro
perties and on the microstructure of alpha-Al2O3 have been elucidated.
The formation and the stability of the aluminum berate phase was also
investigated in the range of sintering temperatures studied.