Plasma-aided manufacturing of ceramics and composite materials

Abstract

Owing to the recent availability of plasma generating devices and their reliable performance, the applications of plasma technology in materials processing is rapidly increasing. In this paper, therefore, the progress of plasma technology in materials processing has been critically examined. Also, the experimental results of the authors' investigation of the sintering kinetics of A1203 and PSZ, with and without Al203, in the plasma environment have been presented and discussed. Alumina and partially stabilized Zr02, with and without A1203, have been sintered in a radio frequency induction coupled plasma system. The translation speed of the specimens through the plasma, power level, sintering additives and pressure into the reaction tube were investigated as the experimental variables to elucidate the sintering mechanism (s). Both A1203 and partially stabilized Y203-+-Zr02 rods have been sintered with final densities greater than 99.7% at a very high densification rate. The grain sizes of the sintered spec...