Abstract

The effects of powders synthesis methods (urea-combustion synthesis (CS) and conventional solid-state (SS) reaction) on the sintering ability, microstructural features, and mechanical properties of Al2O3, MgAl2O4 spinel, and 20 wt.% ZrO2MgAl2O4 upon sintering at 1625C were investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), relative density (RD), apparent porosity and water absorption capacity, hardness, fracture toughness, and three-point bend test studies revealed the superior sintering ability of CS ZrO2-MgAl2O4 composite powder as compared with one prepared by SS reaction. In contrast, single-phase powders obtained by SS reaction exhibit superior sintering ability over CS synthesized ones. The reasons for differences observed are discussed along this paper.