Ceramography of high performance ceramics)description of materials, preparation, etching techniques and description of microstructures

Aluminium oxide is the oldest technical ceramic which, due to its particular properties, is widely used. Many articles have been published both regarding the material Al sub 2 O sub 3 and its microstructural properties, our aim being to summarize these in this compendium of ceramic materials from the point of view of the practicing ceramographer. In addition the correlation between the microstructure of various different Al sub 2 O sub 3 ceramics and the properties of their end products will be clarified. Finally, the methods of preparation and etching techniques which have proven suitable in our laboratory will be presented.