Synthesis of$hboxAl_2hboxO_3$–$hboxZrO_2$Nanocomposite Powders by Pulsed Wire Discharge

A pulsed wire discharge method was used in the synthesis of zirconia–alumina nanocomposite powders by mixing zirconium plasma with aluminum plasma and cooling them together in an oxygen atmosphere. The products formed were characterized by powder X-ray diffractometry, transmission electron microscopy, and Brunauer–Emmet–Teller surface-area analysis. These powders showed a sphere morphology with less agglomeration. Specific surface area of these powders was 25–137
$hboxm^2/hboxg$
depending on the oxygen pressure. Typically, this powder could be densified at 1100
$^circhboxC$
, which is important for producing a high-toughness nanocomposite.