Crystalline orientation of alumina ceramics prepared by electrophoretic deposition under a high magnetic field

Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of alumina in a superconducting magnet was performed at various magnetic field strengths. A stable colloidal suspension of alumina appropriate for magnetic alignment was prepared in an ethanol medium by using a phosphate ester (PE) as a dispersant. The amount of PE appropriate for the stability of the alumina suspension was investigated by measuring the pH, zeta-potential and the relative density of the green compacts. The consolidation of alumina powder was performed by EPD under a magnetic field of 0–12 T. The degree of crystalline orientation of the sintered bodies was evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) as a function of the applied magnetic field during deposition and the sintering temperature.