INCREASING THE PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TECHNICAL ALUMINA CERAMICS USING LOW-PRESSURE HIGH-FREQUENCY DISCHARGE PLASMA

The paper presents a study of the effect of low-pressure high-frequency (HF) discharge plasma on technical alumina ceramics in order to increase bending adhesive strength, tensile strength and modulus of elasticity. It is shown that the marginal angle of wetting ceramic products with water after plasma exposure decreased from 83 to 21°, the bending strength increased by 27 %, and the bending modulus of elasticity increased by 6 %. Using AFM studies of the surface of alumina ceramics, it is found out that as a result of exposure to plasma from a low-pressure discharge, the grain structure changes, as well as adhesive strength increases.