Alumina-titania ceramics prepared by microwave sintering and conventional pressure-less sintering

Nanostructured alumina-titania composite powders were used to prepare alumina-titania ceramics by microwave sintering and conventional pressure-less sintering. The effect of microwave sintering and conventional pressure-less sintering on densification, microstructure and properties of alumina-titania ceramics were evaluated. The results showed that the alumina-titania ceramic prepared by microwave sintering exhibited shorter sintering time, significantly enhanced densification, higher density, finer and more homogenous microstructure, higher strength, higher hardness and higher fracture toughness when compared with conventionally processed counterpart. (C) 2012 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.