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Alumina-base plasma-sprayed materials part I: Phase stability of alumina and alumina-chromia

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Abstract

Aluminum oxide is a relatively cheap, abundant material that is widely used for plasma- spray applications. This material, however, exists in many crystallographic modifications with different properties. In addition, most of these modifications are metastable and cannot be used in applications employed at elevated temperatures. Usually γ, δ, or other phases form after spraying, while α phase (corundum) is often the most desirable phase due to high corrosion resistance and hardness. This paper first reviews the method of α stabilization in the as- sprayed materials offered in literature. Then, as an example, it summarizes the results of an extensive study of chromia additions to alumina. Chromia was chosen because of its complete solid solubility in alumina and its crystal lattice type, which is similar to that of alumina. It was demonstrated that the addition of approximately 20 wt% chromia results in the formation of one solid solution of (Al- Cr)2O3 in the α- modification.

Finally, this paper discusses the thermal stability of various alumina phases. Phase change routes of heating for different starting alumina modifications are discussed, and a case study of alumina- chromia is presented. Both types of as-sprayed structures, a mixture of α, δ, and γ phases, and 100% (Al- Cr)2O3 were annealed up to 1300 °C and the phase composition checked. At lower temperatures and shorter holding times, the amount of α phase decreases while another metastable θ phase appears, and the fraction of γ + δ, if present, increases. At temperature above 1100 °C, the amount of α phase increases again.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Plasma Physics, Academy of Sciences, Prague 8, Czech Republic

    P. Chráska, J. Dubsky, K. Neufuss & J. Písacka

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  1. P. Chráska
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  2. J. Dubsky
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  4. J. Písacka
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Chráska, P., Dubsky, J., Neufuss, K. et al. Alumina-base plasma-sprayed materials part I: Phase stability of alumina and alumina-chromia. J Therm Spray Tech 6, 320–326 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11666-997-0066-9

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