Influence of MgO additive and sintering temperature on mechanical strength for alumina ceramic anchor

The sintering process in alumina (AI₂O₃) specimens for a functional ceramic anchor was investigated and the physical and mechanical properties of the sintered samples were analyzed. MgO (from 0.25 wt% to 3.0 wt%) as an additive was added and sintered at various temperatures (1450 °C, 1550 °C, and 1650 °C) using a conventional solid state sintering process. The sintered density, flexural strength and compressive strength were investigated for the mechanical strength evaluation. The 2.0 wt% MgO added AI₂O₃ samples (sintered at 1650 °C) showed a maximum flexural strength of 354.82 MPa and compressive strength of 1615.2 MPa. These experimental results suggested that the sintering temperature and the amount of additives played an important role in enhancing the density and mechanical strength because of the microstructure modification by MgO addition in the AI₂O₃ sintered samples. We expect to be able to produce ceramic anchors using the experimental conditions with the best mechanical and physical properties.