Investigation of the mechanism(s) controlling microwave sintering of α-alumina: Influence of the powder parameters on the grain growth, thermodynamics and densification kinetics. Issue 3 (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zuo, Fei; Saunier, Sébastien; Marinel, Sylvain; Chanin-Lambert, Pauline; Peillon, Nathalie; Goeuriot, Dominique
• Is Part Of: Journal of the European Ceramic Society. Volume 35:Issue 3(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 959
• Page End: 970
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Ceramic materials -- Periodicals; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Matériaux céramiques -- Périodiques; Composites -- Périodiques; Ceramic materials; Composite materials; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 666.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2014.10.025
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0955-2219

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="author" id="abs0005"> <title id="sect0005">Abstract</title> <sec> <p id="spar0005">The objective of this investigation is to deepen the understanding of the mechanism(s) involved in densification and grain growth underlying microwave sintering of α-alumina. The densification behavior and microstructure evolution of α-alumina powders with different MgO doping levels as well as specific surface areas have been systematically and quantitatively studied during conventional and 2.45 GHz microwave multimode sintering. It is shown that the microwave-induced favorable effects on densification could be more important due to the existence of MgO dopant or a decrease of particle size. Combined with the thermodynamics and kinetics considerations, one assumed that grain-boundary diffusion could be significantly enhanced by microwave non-thermal effect. In addition, the grain growth retardation effect has been attributed to the fine porosity retention induced by microwave electromagnetic field, but not to the local over-heating at grain boundaries.</p> </sec> </abstract>