The use of an infiltration process to improve the properties of sintered materials has been widely investigated. This work describes the research carried out in the manufacturing of lithium glass-infiltrated alumina. The infiltration material consisted of a mixture of elements such as Li2O, ZrO2, SiO2 Al2O3, CaO and La2O3. Alumina specimens were sintered in air at 1400 °C for 2 hours. A number of samples were then submitted to the infiltration process at 1400 °C for 15 minutes. Sintered and infiltrated specimens were characterized by X ray diffraction, apparent density, open porosity, flexural strengths and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the infiltration process considerably improves the properties of alumina bodies.
glass infiltration; mechanical properties and lithium glass material
