An "Auto Ignition" technique was utilized in synthesizing Al 2 O 3 -ZrO 2 powders with nano/nano microstructure. The process used the corresponding nitrates as oxidizers and urea as the fuel. The as-synthesized powders were characterized by x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. It was observed that the microstructure consisted of crystallites of Al 2 O 3 and ZrO 2 , both of which were nanocrystalline. As opposed to the other nanocomposite ceramics, this feature of the microstructure classifies the present powders as nano/nano type. This nanocrystallinity of the microstructure (crystallite size less than 100 nm) was maintained even after a soaking at 1200 ± C for 2 h. Since the microstructure is stable at high temperatures, it was possible to densify the powders by hot isostatic pressing at 1200 ± C. The product was 99% of the theoretical density and maintained nanocrystalline grain size. The average hardness and toughness values, as determined by an indentation technique, were 4.45 GPa and 8.38 MPa ? m 1/2 , respectively. These values represent evidence of ductility in these composites since transformation toughening was ruled out in this case. The potential application of these results is expected to be in net shape deformation forming of ceramics.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.