Characterization of AlO Matrix Composites Fabricated via the Slip Casting Method Using NiAl-AlO Composite Powder.

This work aimed to characterize AlO matrix composites fabricated by the slip casting method using NiAl-AlO composite powder as the initial powder. The composite powder, consisting of NiAl + 30 wt.% AlO, was obtained by mechanical alloying of AlO, Al, and Ni powders. The composite powder was added to the AlO powder to prepare the final powder for the slip casting method. The stained composite samples presented high density. EDX and XRD analyses showed that the sintering process of the samples in an air atmosphere caused the formation of the NiAlO spinel phase. Finally, the phase composition of the composites changed from the initial phases of AlO and NiAl to AlO, Ni, and NiAlO. However, in the area of Ni, fine AlO particles remaining from the initial composite powder were visible. It can be concluded that after slip casting, after starting with AlO and the composite powder (NiAl-AlO) and upon sintering in air, ceramic matrix composites with Ni and NiAlO phases, complex structures, high-quality sintered samples, and favorable mechanical properties were obtained.