CERAMIC MATERIALS WITH EUTECTIC STRUCTURE EXPANDED BY LASER-ASSISTED FUSION

摘要

Compound ceramic materials based on Al2O<SUB>3</SUB>, Zr<SUB>2</SUB> and Y<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> or other rare earth oxides as well as other oxide materials with a high fusion point, produced by solidification from the molten state and using laser radiation as a heat source. The most novel feature is that the production technique by means of expansion in controlled atmosphere gives a microstructure of submicrometric scale, homogenous and consistent in two or more crystalline phases, which endow the material with exceptional mechanical resistance and a high thermal and chemical stability. These materials are useful as structural and functional systems at high temperatures.