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Multiple Small Angle Neutron Scattering Characterization of the Densification of Alumina

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2011

S. Krueger
Affiliation:
Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology (formerly NBS), Gaithersburg, MD 20899
G.C. Long
Affiliation:
Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology (formerly NBS), Gaithersburg, MD 20899
R.A. Page
Affiliation:
Department of Materials and Mechanics, Southwest Research Institute, 6220 Culebra Road, San Antonio, TX 78228
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Abstract

Multiple small angle neutron scattering (MSANS) was used to follow the evolution of the pore size distribution in α-Al2O3 through the intermediate and final stages of sintering. This technique makes it possible to determine microstructure morphology in the 0.08 to 10 μm size regime under conditions where the total scattering cross-section is dominated by elastic incoherent multiple scattering, as is often the case for ceramics. The MSANS results indicate an initial decrease in the effective pore radius from 0.19 μm at 57% of theoretical density (TD) to 0.17 μm at 79% TD. As the sample density further increased, there was a transition region after which the effective pore radius grew rapidly to ≤0.5 μm at 98% TD. Standard Porod analysis on scattering by the same samples also indicates a transition between the intermediate and final stages of processing. Both sets of results support a topological model of sintering in which the interconnected pore network in the intermediate stage of sintering decays in a stable manner. The pores become fewer, while retaining the same diameter, as densification proceeds. In the final stage, isolated pores remain.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1990

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References

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