Influence of granule character on strength and Weibull modulus of sinteredalumina

Alumina specimens were prepared by compacting well-characterized spray-drie d alumina granules of excellent deformability, followed by sintering. The s trength and Weibull modulus were measured and microstructure was evaluated for specimens prepared from granules with different density and morphology. Compacts of spheroidal granules with lower density and lower granule stren gth sintered to 98% relative density and had fewer microstructural defects than compacts prepared from spheroidal or hollow granules of higher density . Flexural strength of sintered material was found to depend on initial gra nule size but not density or morphology of the granules. Weibull moduli of 18-20 were independent of particular granule characteristics.