USE OF SPODUMENE IN THE PROCESSING OF ALUMINA-MATRIX CERAMICS - INFLUENCE ON MICROSTRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES

A study has been conducted on the microstructural character, phase ass emblage, and selected physical properties of liquid-phase-sintered (LP S) aluminas processed from formulations containing beta-spodumene, Li2 O . Al2O3 .4SiO2. Assessments mere made using density data, SEM imagin g, XRD analysis, Vickers indentation testing, and Young's modulus meas urements, The results indicate that using beta-spodumene to develop LP S alumina ceramics provides materials containing a mix of crystalline beta-spodumene and glassy material which are comparable in mechanical performance to currently available commercial debased alumina ceramics .