Formation, Phase Stability, and Characterization of Unstabilized Aluminum Titanate (Al2TiO5) Ceramics

Abstract In the present study, Al2TiO5 was prepared via the sol–gel technique then sintered at 1000°C to 1300°C for 1 h. The thermal stability of the formed ceramic bodies was explored. The densification parameters, microstructure, and phase composition of the sintered Al2TiO5 ceramic were examined, and the mechanical properties and thermal coefficient were characterized. The phase composition study revealed the presence of alumina and TiO2 residuals up to 1100°C. Phase stability was observed in Al2TiO5 bodies sintered up to 1300°C. The vitrification behavior of the bodies was improved by increasing the sintering temperature. The thermal expansion coefficient of the sintered samples sintered at 1300°C was enhanced by the formation of rod-like Al2TiO5 grains. Increases in the bending strength (from 22.40 to 28.90 MPa) and hardness (HV0.1; from 1467 to 1873) were observed when the treatment temperature was increased from 1000°C to 1300°C.