Mechanical and Microestructural Characterizatio of AL_2O_3 - ZrO_2 Ceramic Composite Reinforced with Rare Earth Oxides (Y_2O_3) for inert coating of Storage and Transport Systems of Crude Petroleum

摘要

The advancement of the oil sector has generated the need for the use of materials resistant to aggressive environments to oil. Although ceramics have high melting point and high hardness is, on the other hand, more fragile and less tough, which can cause damage to the metal structure. The Al_2O_3 based ceramics reinforced with rare earth oxide can improve tenaciousness and makes the ceramic material more resistent. This article aims to present the production of composite Al_2O_3 - Y_2O_3 stabilized ZrO_2 by uniaxial pressing, following sintering (1200-1350 ℃). Structural and microstructural characterizations as XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) and mechanical tests as Vickers hardness, % absorption and % linear shrinkage were conducted to evaluate the feasibility of using the composite and ceramic coating for storage and transportation of oil tanks. The results indicate that the proportions of 5%, 10% and 30% ZrO_2 make it suitable as a good composite suitable coating.