Aqueous extrusion of alumina-zirconia (12 mol% ceria) composite using boehmite as extrusion aid

Abstract Alumina–20 vol% zirconia (12 mol% ceria) composite powder has been extruded using boehmite (AlOOH) as an extrusion aid. A higher order of homogeneity of the constituent phases has been achieved in this work by controlling the pH of flocculation at 8.5. Sintering was carried out at 1600°C. The microstructural evaluation confirms uniform distribution of different phases throughout the specimen. The possibility of boehmite being used as extrusion aid to alumina based ceramics is highlighted.