*** 96-60960 Sibold This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop a low cost process for toughening alumina ceramics, which are widely used in wear, corrosion, and electrical insulation applications in virtually all industries and markets. Presently, brittleness of these ceramics and their high cost sharply limit their use. This research will examine a low cost, water based ceramic precursor that can be used to toughen conventional aluminas. Porous commercial alumina preforms will be infiltrated with the precursor to develop a platelet toughened alumina. The only new processing step that this would require is infiltration prior to final firing in a commercial ceramic production line. Commercial applications are expected in tougher low cost alumina ceramics. ***
