Fabrication of Al_2O_3/BN nanocomposites by chemical processing and their mechanical properties

摘要

Al_2O_3/BN nanocomposites were fabricated through a novel chemical route involving hot-pressing of alpah-Al_2O_3 powders covered partly with turbostratic BN (t-BN). The nano-sized hexagonal BN (h-BN) particles were found to be homogeneously dispersed within the Al_2O_3 grains as well as at grain boundaries, which is indicative of nanocomposite structures. Thus, the present nanocomposites exhibited the unique properties of high strength and low Young's modulus associated with nanocomposites. This paper discusses in detail the synthesis process and microstructural features of these materials.