Microstructural Characterization and Thermal Properties of Aluminium Titanate/YSZ Ceramics

Yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ, with 3 mol.% $Y_2O_3$) has superior high temperature properties such as high tolerance for thermal shock, low thermal conductivity, mechanical properties, elevated melting point, good phase stability, and excellent oxidation resistance. Aluminium titanate ($Al_2TiO_5$) exhibits extremely good thermal shock resistance and low thermal conductivity coupled with good chemical resistance in molten metals. In the present work, aluminium titanate/YSZ ceramics with different percentages of $Al_2TiO_5$ was prepared using powder metallurgy techniques. The microstructural, mechanical and thermal properties were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, dilatometer and hardness. Thermal shock resistance behaviour under water quenching of the as-prepared ceramics was also evaluated. The results revealed that the addition of aluminium titanate to YSZ matrix improves the properties of the aluminium titanate/YSZ ceramics.