Fine-grained AlN ceramics from nanopowder by spark plasma sintering

Abstract

Aluminum nitride nanopowder was fabricated from transition alumina nanopowder by gas reduction–nitridation method. It was sintered by spark plasma sintering with 1 wt % Ca₃Al₂O₆ as a sintering additive in nitrogen. The nanopowder with Ca₃Al₂O₆ was densified up to 3.16 Mg/m³ of density at 1450°C, restraining grain growth. The nanopowder without additive was densified at 1550°C. The sintering temperature for dense aluminum nitride ceramic could be reduced by 1 wt % Ca₃Al₂O₆ as a sintering additive.