Modelling and optimizing the liquid phase sintering of alumina/CaO–SiO2–Al2O3 ceramics using response surface methodology

Abstract Alumina is an attractive material for engineering applications due to its unique properties. In this study, CaO–SiO2–Al2O3 eutectic phase was used as an additive phase and liquid phase sintering of the alumina/CaO–SiO2–Al2O3 samples were investigated. The liquid phase sintering was modelled and optimized by Response Surface Methodology (RSM) using Central Composite Design (CCD) to achieve maximum fracture strength and density as responses. Sintering temperature, alumina particles size distribution (PSD), lubricant and eutectic phase content were selected as independent variables. Two cubic models were developed in terms of these variables to describe the responses. The validity and accuracy of the models were checked using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Phase identification of the synthesized eutectic phase was evaluated by XRD and fracture strength of the sintered samples was determined by Ring-on-Ring test method. SEM was used to study the fracture surface of the samples. The obtained models for predicting fracture strength and density of the sintered samples showed high conformity with the experimental results. Sintering temperature and alumina PSD were found as the most effective parameters. Therefore, optimized condition based on the defined constraints was obtained for sintering temperature of 1533 °C, alumina PSD of 25%, and lubricant and eutectic phase content of 1.5 wt% and 7.5 wt%, respectively. Results showed that after ball milling of the eutectic phase, the fracture strength of the optimized ceramic sample was improved and it reached to maximum values at smaller amounts of the additive phase.