A novel method for preparing nano- and microcomposite Al2O3-ZrO2 ceramic coatings

Nano- and microcomposite Al2O3-ZrO2 coatings were deposited on various substrates in a solgel ceramic paint by a supercentrifugal force and a gradual sintering process. Fine metal oxide powders were dispersed in a sol-gel solution by superpower ball milling so as to form a uniform stable ceramic paint. High-resolution microscopy (FE-SEM) was used to characterize the coating, indicating that the coating is composed of composite particle clusters with an average diameter of similar to 1 mu m. The clusters consisted of larger particles with an average diameter of similar to 0.5 mu m in center and smaller particles of similar to 100 nm surrounding the larger ones. The coating was relatively dense and increasingly dense toward the substrate surface.