EFFECT OF CONTENT OF COBALT IN CERAMIC COMPOSITE SINTERING AL(2)O(3) - CO

Al2O3 based ceramic composites - Co exhibit specific properties such as low density, high oxidation resistance, high hardness of the ceramic phase with excellent toughness and good workability of the metal phase, as well as the good biocompatibility of both phases. The composite alumina - cobalt has to be a promising material for application in biomaterials or cutting tool. This study aims to evaluate the effect of cobalt content in the composite sintering Al2O3 - Co. The starting powders of alumina and cobalt were ground and homogenized with levels of 5% to 20% cobalt and then the pressed test pieces with circular diameter of 5 mm at a uniaxial pressure of 25 MPa and sintered at 1050 degrees C format for 1h with a heating rate of 10 degrees C/min in the resistive furnace. The raw materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry (TG/DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The sintered bodies of evidence were submitted to technological tests (Water Absorption, Apparent Porosity, Apparent Density) and scanning electron microscopy. The results show the significant effect of cobalt content on the sintering of Al2O3 ceramic composite - Co with satisfactory values for the composite Al2O3 - 5% Co