Processing of hot pressed Al2O3–Cr2O3/Cr-carbide nanocomposite prepared by MOCVD in fluidized bed

Abstract: Nanosized particles dispersed uniformly on Al2O3 particles were prepared from the decomposition of precursor Cr(CO)6 by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) in a fluidized chamber. These nanosized particles consisted of Cr2O3, CrC1−x , and C. A solid solution of Al2O3–Cr2O3 and an Al2O3–Cr2O3/Cr3C2 nanocomposite were formed when these fluidized powders were pre-sintered at 1000 and 1150°C before hot-pressing at 1400°C, respectively. In addition, an Al2O3–Cr2O3/Cr-carbide (Cr3C2 and Cr7C3) nanocomposite was formed when the particles were directly hot pressed at 1400°C. The interface between Cr3C2 and Al2O3 is non-coherent, while the interface between Cr7C3 and Al2O3 is semi-coherent. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]