Microstructural Characterization and Thermal Properties of Aluminium Titanate/YSZ Ceramics

Abstract

Yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ, with 3 mol.% Y2O3) has superior high temperature properties such as high tolerance for thermal shock, low thermal conductivity, mechanical properties, elevated melting point, good phase stability, and excellent oxidation resistance. Aluminium titanate (Al2TiO5) exhibits extremely good thermal shock resistance and low thermal conductivity coupled with good chemical resistance in molten metals. In the present work, aluminium titanate/YSZ ceramics with different percentages of Al2TiO5 was prepared using powder metallurgy techniques. The microstructural, mechanical and thermal properties were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, dilatometer and hardness. Thermal shock resistance behaviour under water quenching of the as-prepared ceramics was also evaluated. The results revealed that the addition of aluminium titanate to YSZ matrix improves the properties of the aluminium titanate/ YSZ ceramics.