Variation of the microstructure and fracture strength of cold isostatically pressed alumina ceramics with the alteration of dewaxing procedures

Influence of the alteration of CIP and dewaxing procedures on the pore structure and the fracture strength of sintered alumina ceramics was examined. Variation of the fracture strength with the process alteration could be explained by the difference in distribution of large pore defects determined by applying the direct observation techniques. Dewaxing, before CIP, varied the strength and fracture behavior of granules and was effective in promoting the uniform powder packing during consolidation, resulting in the high strength of sintered bodies. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.