EFFECTS OF MILLING LIQUID ON THE REACTION-BONDED ALUMINUM-OXIDE PROCESS

The reaction-bonded aluminum oxide process begins with aluminum, Al2O3 , and usually ZrO2 powders that have been attrition-milled in an organ ic liquid, The attrition-milled powder is then compacted and heat-trea ted in air to produce polycrystalline, Al2O3-based ceramics. Safety co nsiderations have made it desirable for the milling liquid to be chang ed from acetone to a less-flammable solvent. In this paper, mineral sp irits, ethanol, and mineral spirits that contains 2 wt% stearic acid a re presented as viable alternatives to acetone, The effects of changin g the milling liquid on the reaction process and the properties of the final fired ceramic are investigated.