Title: Bonding characteristics at the Ni-alumina composite interface via STEM-based EELS technique

Authors: Mao-xiang Jing, Dong-hong Li, Xiang-qian Shen, Wang-xing Li

Addresses: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China; Zhengzhou Research Institute of Chalco, Zhengzhou, 450041, China. ' School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China and Zhengzhou Research Institute of Chalco, Zhengzhou, 450041, China. ' School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China. ' Zhengzhou Research Institute of Chalco, Zhengzhou 450041, China

Abstract: Bonding characteristics of the metal and ceramic interfaces are significant to understand toughening mechanisms and design metal-ceramic composites. The Ni/alumina composite has been prepared by hot press-sintering of Ni-coated alumina powders and the bonding characteristics at the Ni-alumina composite interface have been studied by use of transmission electron microscopy (TEM)-based electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) techniques. From Al L_2,3, Ni L_2,3, and O K-edge EELS spectrum obtained, it can be reasoned that the interface in the Ni/alumina composite mainly consists of aluminum-terminated alumina and metallic Ni, and the bonding between them is primarily nonreactive with a nonionic –Ni–Ni–Al–O–linkage, rather than by chemical bonding with Ni–O bonds from –Ni–Ni–Ni–O–Al–O– or chemical reaction forming spinel interphases.

Keywords: nickel-alumina composites; interface; cermet; chemical bonding; nonreactive bonding; EELS; STEM; heterogeneous precipitation process; hot press sintering; metal-ceramic composites; electron energy loss spectroscopy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMSI.2008.019613

International Journal of Materials and Structural Integrity, 2008 Vol.1 No.4, pp.294 - 301

Published online: 17 Jul 2008 *

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