Pressureless sintering of alumina matrix ceramic materials improved by Al–Ti–B master alloys and diopside

Al–Ti–B master alloys and diopside are simultaneously introduced in alumina matrix ceramic materials as sintering aids. Fine structural alumina matrix ceramic materials are fabricated by pressureless sintering during which liquid phase, leading to interface reactions between alumina matrix and additives, is formed. Hardness, fracture toughness and bending strength of the composites are measured. The effects of diopside on mechanical properties and fracture mechanism of fine structural alumina matrix ceramic materials are analyzed together with the microstructure observations on fracture surfaces, the polished surfaces and the indentation cracks.