The effects of the addition of precursor polymer on sintering, microstructure and hardness of alumina ceramics were studied. The linear shrinkage of cold-pressed specimens was studied by dilatometry. Polyphenylmethylvinylhidrogensilsesquioxane (PPS) polymer sintering aid was used for alumina based ceramics sintered at 1650 ºC. The sintered materials were characterized by determination of apparent density by helium picnometry, by evaluation of total carbon content, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, and by Vickers indentation analysis for determining hardness and fracture toughness. Heterogeneous Si2Al4O4 phases were obtained in specimens with PPS. The specimens with 5% of PPS presented hardness and toughness greater than the obtained for pure alumina. The preparation of ceramic composites using small amounts of precursor polymers shows a suitable process for alumina-based ceramics, a simple forming route, with high potential for the fabrication of complex shape pieces.
inorganic polymer; polysiloxane; microstructure; alumina
