Sub-micron sized Al2TiO5 powders prepared by high-energy ball milling

High energy ball milling to obtain ultrafine aluminium titanate particles h as been investigated. Tempered steel has been selected as material for the containers and balls because the desirable properties of aluminium titanate are not degraded by small amounts of Fe2O3. The starting powders have been milled during different periods (1-60 h) and the evolution of the morpholo gy and crystallinity of the treated powders as well as the extent of contam ination from the milling media have been characterised. Different experimen tal techniques, X-ray diffraction, BET-analysis, chemical analysis, scannin g electron microscopy and low and high resolution transmission electron mic roscopy have been used. High energy ball milling has been proved to be an e fficient route to obtain submicron sized (50-100 nm) aluminium titanate pow ders, but further milling of the powders is accompanied by contamination fr om the milling media and the formation of hard agglomerates. (C) 2001 Kluwe r Academic Publishers.