Influence of initial crystal structure and electrical pulsing on densification of nanocrystalline alumina powder

Abstract
The effect of the crystal structure of starting alumina powder and electric pulsing on the initial stages of densification has been studied in the temperature range of 1200– 1500 °C. Multiple electric pulsing cycles enhance the densification significantly. The α-alumina powders consolidate more readily in comparison to γ-alumina powders. A high density α-alumina specimen (>98% of theoretical density) was obtained at 1300 °C in less than 10 min.