M. Bengisu et Ot. Inal, SINTERING OF MGO AND MGO-TIC CERAMICS BY PLASMA, MICROWAVE AND CONVENTIONAL HEATING, Journal of Materials Science, 29(20), 1994, pp. 5475-5480
The densification of MgO and MgO-TiC ceramics by hollow cathode plasma
and microwave sintering techniques was studied. The resultant fractio
nal densities were compared to those of conventionally sintered sample
s. It was demonstrated that indirect heating and sintering of MgO by m
icrowave radiation was possible. Higher fractional densities were obta
ined in MgO by microwave sintering in comparison to conventional sinte
ring under the same conditions. In the case of MgO-TiC composites, che
mical reaction led to Mg2TiO4 formation in all samples. Plasma sinteri
ng suppressed this reaction and exhibited reduced sinterability upon T
iC addition. On the other hand, small amounts of TiC additions aided t
he conventional sintering of MgO, resulting in better mechanical prope
rties. Furthermore, commercial grade MgO was sintered to higher densit
ies than relatively pure research grade MgO. Hardness and fracture tou
ghness values are reported.