A NOVEL COMBUSTION PROCESS FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF FINE PARTICLE ALPHA-ALUMINA AND RELATED OXIDE MATERIALS

Synthesis of fine particle alpha -alumina and related oxide materials such as MgAl//2O//4, CaAl//2O//4, Y//3Al//5O//1//2(YAG), t-ZrO//2/Al//2O//3, beta prime -alumina, LaAlO//3 and ruby powder (Cr**3** plus Al//2O//3) has been achieved at low temperatures (500 degree C) by the combustion of corresponding metal nitrate-urea mixtures. Solid combustion products have been identified by their characteristic X-ray diffraction patterns. The fine particle nature of beta -alumina and related oxide materials has been investigated using SEM, TEM, particle size analysis and surface area measurements.