EFFECT OF h-BN AS AN ADDITIVE ON PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF Al2TiO5 COMPOSITE

Aluminum titanate (Al2TiO5) is a promising material for high-temperature applications due to its low thermal expansion, high melting point, and excellent corrosion resistance. In this study, the effect of h-BN addition on the properties of Al2TiO5 composites was investigated. The composites were prepared by sintering a mixture of Al2O3 and TiO2 at a 1:1 molar ratio, with varying amounts of h-BN (5-20 mol%) added to the mixture. The samples were sintered at 1,500degree celsius for 4 h in N-2 atmosphere, and the bulk density, porosity, phase transition, microstructure, flexural strength, and hardness of the composites were investigated. XRD analysis confirmed the presence of Al2TiO5, Al2O3, and Al18B4O33 phases in the composites. The addition of h-BN in increasing amounts from 5 to 20 mol% resulted in a gradual improvement in the bulk density, flexural strength, and hardness of the Al2TiO5 composites. The composite with the highest h-BN content (20 mol%) exhibited a bulk density of 3.12 g/cm(3), as well as the highest flexural strength and hardness values of 123.6 +/- 8.9 MPa and 11.2 +/- 4.1 GPa, respectively.