Effect of inert dilutent on combustion synthesis in the aluminium-potassium dichromate system

摘要

It has been established that it is feasible to initiate an exothermic reaction between compacted powdered reactants such that the heat emitted permits the reaction to go to completion throughout the compact. This process is known as self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS) and is potentially a low cost method for producing complex ceramics because the energy input is low and the raw materials may be inexpensive. One of the major difficulties with SHS is controlling the reaction and obtaining the required product (phases and microstructure) [1,2]. This letter reports the results of a study on the effect of a non-reacting dilutent, A12O3, on SHS production of a chromate spinel from the reactants aluminium and potassium dichromate.