Forming Textured Microstructures via the Gelcasting Technique

Crystallographically textured samples of iron titanate were produced by gelcasting in the presence of a strong magnetic field. Texture was assessed by measuring X‐ray pole figures on samples that were cast in different orientations relative to the applied field. Specimens in this study exhibit fiber‐type texture, with the b ‐axes aligned parallel to the applied field. Peak texture strengths were on the order of 3 and 48 multiples of a random distribution (MRD) when processed in a 3.2 and 8.4 T magnetic field, respectively. This study shows that a combination of gelcasting with magnetic‐field‐assisted processing provides a convenient method for fabricating samples which can be used to study the role of crystallographic texture on the physical properties of polycrystalline ceramics, e.g., their elastic or fracture behavior.