Study of directionally solidified ceramics by neutron diffraction methods

The effect of the growth rate of directionally solidified Al2O3-Y3Al5O12 ceramics on the structural perfection of the two-phase material is studied by low-angle neutron scattering, as well as by constant-wavelength and time-of-flight neutron diffraction methods. When the growth rate is high, the orientation and size of Y3Al5O12 needles remain unchanged, while the Al2O3 matrix phase decomposes into crystallites. Neutron diffraction methods are viewed as an effective tool for flexible crystal growth control. (C) 2003 MAIK "Nauka/Interperiodica".