Fabrication and Characterization of Infrared Transparent MgF ₂ –MgO Nanocomposite Ceramics

ABSTRACT In this study, MgF 2 –MgO nanocomposite ceramics with an equal volume ratio (5:5) were fabricated via a combination of sol–gel combustion synthesis, surface fluorination treatment, and hot‐pressing sintering. Nano‐sized MgO powders were initially synthesized via a citrate–glycol sol–gel method, after which the as‐prepared powders underwent surface fluorination treatment through reaction with hydrofluoric acid in an ethanol–water mixed solvent system to obtain the final composite powder. This study investigated the influence of sintering parameters on the microstructure and properties of the composite ceramics. The 2‐mm‐thick MgF 2 –MgO nanocomposite ceramic sintered at 900°C under 200 MPa exhibited a maximum transmittance of 59.6% in the 3–6 µm range, along with a Vickers hardness of 9.57 GPa. This study may provide insights for further development of composite ceramics toward broader applications.