Effect of sintering atmosphere on composition and properties of NiFe_2O_4 ceramic

NiFe2O4 ceramics were prepared in different sintering atmospheres. The phase compositions, microstructures and mechanical properties were studied. The results show that the stoichiometric compound Ni Fe2O4 cannot be obtained in vacuum or atmospheres with oxygen contents of 2×10^-5, 2×10^-4 and 2×10^-3, respectively. All the samples sintered in above-mentioned atmospheres contain phases of Ni Fe2O4 and Ni O. With increasing oxygen content, Ni Fe2O4 content in the ceramic increases, while Ni O content appears a contrary trend. In vacuum, Ni Fe2O4 ceramic has average grain size of 3.94 μm, and bending strength of85.12 MPa. The changes of the phase composition and mechanical properties of Ni Fe2O4 based cermets are mainly caused by the alteration of their properties of Ni Fe2O4 ceramic.