CERAMIC COMPOSITE MATERIALS AND THEIR PRODUCTION

摘要

According to the present invention, a ceramic composite material may be formed by a method comprising the steps of: preparing a solid solution comprising aluminium oxide, a second component comprising a cation in a first valent state, and a dopant, wherein the dopant is present in an amount of not more than 1000 ppm by weight of the solid solution; and carrying out a treatment on the solid solution to form the ceramic composite material, wherein the treatment changes the valent state of said cation to a second valent state, forming a ceramic composite material comprising grains containing aluminium oxide and a precipitate of particles comprising the cation in the second valent state. The materials may be useful in the manufacture of various products, including wear resistant products and armour.