Hydrogen defects in α-Al2O3 and water weakening of sapphire and alumina ceramics between 600 and 1000°C -: II. -: Mechanical properties

Hydrogen impurities in alumina have been introduced by hydrothermal annealing (see part I). In this paper, we report on reductions in the Row strength of alpha-Al2O3 single crystals and polycrystals associated with hydrogen incorporation. Prior to deformation, alpha-Al2O3 single crystal and ceramic specimens were annealed in the presence of supercritical water at 850 degrees or 900 degrees C, under 1500 MPa pressure. Sapphire and alumina ceramics were plastically deformed between 600 degrees and 1000 degrees C under 1500 MPa pressure, by the addition of a uniaxial stress. Flow stresses are reduced by a factor of two, due to the presence of water, for sapphire and large grain (30-50 mu m) polycrystals, as a result of enhanced dislocation mobility. Flow stresses of fine-grained (3-5 mu m) polycrystals are reduced by water by a factor of six. This large reduction in strength is attributed to a change in mechanism from dislocation glide under dry conditions to grain boundary sliding under hydrothermal conditions. (C) 2000 Acta Metallurgica Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.