Effect of nano clay and nano zirconia addition on the properties of Alumina Ceramics

In this present work, an attempt has been made to study the effect of two different nano additives on the physical properties of alumina ceramics, after sintering. Two different additives which were selected for the purpose are monoclinic zirconia and nano clay, whose particle sizes are in the range of nanometer (d50 ~ 15 – 50 nm). The percentage of these additives were varied from 1%, 2%, 5% and 10% (wt %). Different processing methodologies have been employed to prepare alumina ceramics with different percentage of nano additives. These were uniaxial pressing method, solid casing method and gel casting. Green samples were sintered in pressure less condition at two different temperatures viz. 1550ºC and 1600ºC with a holding time of two hours. Sintered samples were then characterized for apparent porosity, bulk density and cold crushing strength. The effect of nano additives on the physical properties of alumina ceramics after sintering was evaluated