Solid-state reaction in nanoparticulate alumina/LZSA glass-ceramic composites

Abstract In this work, some properties, such as sinterability, modulus of elasticity (E), coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and dielectric constant (er), of composites constituted by nanoparticulate alumina (27-43 nm, 35 m2.g-1) in different contents (0 to 77 vol%) and a LZSA glass-ceramic composition (17.7Li2O-5.2ZrO2-68.1SiO2-9.0Al2O3, molar basis) were evaluated. Dry powders of the raw materials (alumina and LZSA parent glass, frit) were uniaxially pressed (40 MPa) and the obtained compacts were sintered at 600-950 °C (1 h holding time). X-ray diffraction (XRD) study was performed in order to investigate the solid-state reactions occurred in LZSA-based compositions during sintering. XRD results were correlated to the CTE, E and er of sintered samples. The CTE of the obtained composites decreased as alumina content increased mainly due to the β-spodumeness (solid solution Li2O.Al2O3.4-10SiO2) formation. The results concerning the E (22.3±1.5 GPa) and er (3.1±1.3) for the composite with 5.6 vol% addition sintered at 850 °C for 1 h indicated, in a preliminary way, the possibility of development of materials with suitable properties for applications concerning to the low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) technology.