The effect of the initial alpha -Al2O3 particle size in the reaction-bonded
aluminum oxide (RBAO) process on the phase transformation of aluminum-deri
ved gamma -Al2O3 to alpha -Al2O3, and subsequently densification, was inves
tigated. It has been demonstrated that if the initial alpha -Al2O3 particle
s are fine (similar to0.2 mum, i.e., 2.9 x 10(14) gamma -Al2O3 particles/cm
(3)), then they seed the phase transformation. The fine alpha -Al2O3 decrea
ses the transformation temperature to similar to 962 degreesC and results i
n a finer microstructure. The smaller particle size of the seeded RBAO decr
eases the sintering temperature to as low as similar to 1135 degreesC, The
results confirm that seeding can be utilized to improve phase transformatio
ns and densification and subsequently to tailor final microstructures in RB
AO-delived ceramics.