Sintering of a-Al2O3 powder (particles»1 µm),boehmite gels (particles »5 nm) and compositions of a-Al2O3, boehmite andgraphite has been studied by stepwise (SID) and individual (IID) isothermaldilatometry. Boehmite gel is a high temperature binder and graphite is a poreforming material in the mentioned compositions. Boehmite derived aluminacontrols the sintering process of compositions if it is present as a continuousphase. Kinetic parameters of sintering (exponent n and apparent activationenergy E) indicate different sintering mechanism of a-Al2O3and Al2O3 derivedfrom boehmite gels. Porosity of a-Al2O3ceramics can be managed by jointaddition of boehmite gel and graphite.
