The microstructure and mechanical properties of ceramic composites produced from alumina, yttria stabilized zirconia and chromia oxide system was investigated. The Cr2O3 weight percent was varied from 0 wt% to 1.0 wt%. Each batch of composition was mixed, uniaxially pressed to 13mm diameter and sintered at 1600 ◦C for 4 h in pressureless conditions. Studies on the effects of the sample microstructures on their mechanical and physical properties such as fracture toughness and bulk density were carried out. Results show that an addition of 0.6 wt% of Cr2O3 produces the best mechanical properties. Furthermore, microstructural observations show that the Al2O3 grain size is significantly dependent on the amount of Cr2O3 additives used. Maximum value obtained with 0.6 wt % Cr2O3 for the fracture toughness is 5.36 MPa.m1/2.
Membrane technologies have received high interest in the separation gas mixture. The
ceramic inorganic membranes have possessed high permeability, excellent thermal,
chemical and mechanical stabilities compared to conventional polymer membranes.
This work presents the fabrication of silica ceramic membrane by sol dip-coating
method. The tubular support was dipped into the solution of tetrethylorthosilicate
(TEOS), distilled water and ethanol with the addition of nitric acid as a catalyst. The
fabricated silica membrane was then characterized by (Field Emission Scanning
Electron Microscope) FESEM and (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) FTIR to
determine structural and chemical properties at different dipping number. FESEM
images indicate that the silica has been deposited on the surface fabricated ceramic
membrane and penetrate into the pore walls. However, number of dipping did not
affect the intensity peak of FTIR analysis.