Novel Approaches to Improve the Microstructure of Alumina Synthesized via the Sol-Gel Method

Eruçar T., Kenar Y., Yelten A., Mutlu İ., Yılmaz S.

Seramik-Journal of the Turkish Ceramics Society, cilt.2, sa.1, ss.13-16, 2022 (Hakemli Dergi)

Özet

Alumina (Al2O3) is a structural ceramic that is used in various high technology applications. Therefore, production of pure Al2O3 in different forms draws attention. In this study, porous 17-4 PH stainless steel samples, which were obtained by following the powder metallurgy process based on the space holder-sintering technique were coated with the sol-gel synthesized boehmite (AlOOH) gel via dipcoating. The porous steel samples were immersed in the AlOOH gel for 7, 14, and 21 days. Then, the AlOOH coated porous 17-4 PH stainless steel samples were heat treated at 1260°C for 40 min. to transform the AlOOH phase into the stable α- Al2O3 phase. By this way, it was aimed to improve the surface properties of the steel samples, which can be used as implant materials for biomedical applications. In this context, α- Al2O3 coating formed on the porous steel samples was examined by utilizing from Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). It is determined that as the immersion time increased, a thicker α- Al2O3 layer developed on the metal surface. This indicates that α- Al2O3 coated porous 17-4 PH stainless steel implants may be more resistant to the corrosive body fluids such as saliva.