Synthesis, processing, sintering and characterisation of special ceramic materials

Hydrothermal and carbothermal synthesis as specific material synthesis routes to obtain simple oxide powders (e.g. acicular ferromagnetic chromium dioxide and alumina in fine powder form) as well as composite oxide powders (e .g . alumina and zirconia) containing 13-silicon carbide whiskers as a second phase toughener have been extensively investigated and some significant results are summarised . Ceramic processing followed by reaction nitridation of silicon, silicon + silicon carbide and silicon + silicon nitride powder mixtures in various ratios have been studied and some representative results are presented herein . Synthesis of hydroxyapatite powder and its characterisation is also reported . Mechanical characterisation of some of these products have been studied and these are presented . An ascending thermal shock cum thermal fatigue test equipment fabricated for testing ceramic materials under