Nanostructured ceramics processed from coarse powder

Ceramic powders based on aluminum oxide and zirconium oxide have been rapidly solidified from the liquid state, resulting in metastable nanostructures contained in particles of micrometer size. Thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, and thermodynamic calculations were used to investigate crystallization and phase transformations. Microstructural evolution was examined through scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Metastable phases crystallize from an amorphous phase at 850–950 °C during heating. Borosilicate glass increases deformation rates, while lanthanum oxide increases glass forming ability and allows for hot compaction in the amorphous state.