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Restructuring of alumina particles using a plasma torch

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2011

H. Shim
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, 133 Fenske Laboratory, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
J. Phillips*
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, 133 Fenske Laboratory, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
I. S. Silva
Affiliation:
FCT/UNL, Dep. QUIMICA, Quinta Da Torre, 2825 Monte Caparica, Portugal
*
a)Address all correspondence to this author.
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Abstract

A method to modify ceramics using a low power microwave plasma torch is described. The size, shape, surface area, and phase of alumina particles were dramatically modified by passage through an atmospheric pressure argon plasma, operated at 1 kW or less power. Specifically, irregularly shaped particles of γ-alumina with an average diameter of 11 μm were converted to smaller (ca. 4 μm) spherical particles primarily consisting of δ- and α- (corundum) phases. Also notable was the finding that modifications of the particles, such as changes in surface area, correlate to applied plasma energy. The plasma torch was operated with an argon flow rate of 5 slpm, power of between 400 and 1000 W, and average particle residence time in the plasma of 0.1 s.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1999

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