United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority

Roger W Davidge

James L Woodhead

Sintered materials are known comprising a ceramic matrix (e.g. of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3) and, distributed therein, a refractory material in a metastable, high temperature enantiotropic form of higher density than its room temperature enantiotropic form such as ZrO.sub.2 which has a metastable tetragonal form and a room temperature monoclinic form. The sintered materials have enhanced fracture and bending strength. The invention provides a method of making such materials from a mixture where the refractory material and optionally the ceramic material are in the form of a sol. The mixture is dried and subsequently sintered to give a product where the refractory material is distributed very uniformly and in its metastable form. Improved properties have been obtained by including a stabilizing agent (e.g. Y.sub.2 O.sub.3) in the final product.

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Wantage, United Kingdom

Roger W Davidge