NORMAL-PRESSURE PRODUCTION OF COMBINED SINTERED MATERIAL OF ZIRCONIUM OXYCARBIDE AND ALUMINUM OXIDE

摘要

PURPOSE:To obtain a combined sintered material of Zr oxycarbide and Al2O3 sintered at high temperature under normal pressure by embedding compressed powder of a mixture of ZrC powder having particle diameters in a specific range and Al2O3 powder in Al2O3 powder and sintering. CONSTITUTION:A mixture of (A) 15-50wt.% ZrC powder (particle diameter: 3-10mum) and (B) 85-50wt.% Al2O3 powder is compression molded to give compressed powder, which is embedded in Al2O3 powder. The embedded material is sintered normal pressure at 1,700-1,900 deg.C to give a high-density (93-97% relative density) combined sintered material of zirconium oxycarbide [ZrCxOy (0x1, 0y1, 0.5=x+y=1, 0.05=y/x=0.22)] and Al2O3. Addition of =5wt.% based on Al2O3 of MgO or Y2O3 raises density of sintered material and improves oxidation resistance. The sintered material is useful as cutting tool material, wear-resistant material, heating element material useful in an oxidizing atmosphere and electroconductive material.