PBA6-WL 3N RTP α alumina powder

Products characteristics

 

Typical Values	PBA6-WL
Crystalline Phase	100% α
Specific Surface Area (BET)	4 m2/g
PSD (granules) d50	55 µm
Moisture Content	0.15%
Bulk Density	1.20 g/cm3
Green Density (at 150 MPa)	2.51 g/cm3

Why Choose PBA6-WL?

• Flowable Spray-Dried Granules: PBA6-WL is supplied as a s Ready-To-Press alumina powder with a typical d50 of 55 µm (dry laser diffraction), helping support consistent handling and pressing behavior.
• Optimum Densification: The powder is designed to deliver controlled shrinkage, high reactivity, and optimum densification, helping manufacturers achieve high fired density with better dimensional consistency.
• Fine Microstructure: Features high reactivity and a fine microstructure that maintains almost no grain growth during densification up to 92% relative density.
• MgO doping (500 ppm): to ensure controlled grain growth during the final stage of sintering.

Processing & Sintering

PBA6-WL is engineered for predictable thermal behavior.

• Linear Shrinkage: -12.7%.
• Fired Density: 3.94 g/cm3 when sintered at 1550°C for 1 hour.
• Thermal Stability: Optimized debinding and consolidation profiles ensure structural integrity during the heating cycle

Final Ceramic Properties

• Vickers Hardness (HV10): 2160
• Flexural Strength: 372 MPa (Four-point test)
• Fracture Toughness (SEVNB): 4.60 MPa.m 1/2

(Measured on products fired at 1550°C for 1 hour)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the PBA6-WL sintering map indicate for microstructure control?

The sintering map shows that almost no grain growth is observed during densification up to 92% relative density. Controlled grain growth is then maintained through the final sintering stage, supported by MgO doping at 500 ppm. For process engineers, this data provides a basis to assess whether densification progresses while the alumina microstructure remains under control across the sintering window.

What role does MgO play in PBA6-WL?

At 500 ppm, MgO acts as a sintering aid that supports controlled grain growth during the final stage of sintering. Combined with the powder’s 100% α crystalline phase, BET surface area of 4 m²/g and controlled particle size distribution, MgO doping is a key parameter in the densification and microstructure behavior documented in the technical leaflet.

When may another Baikowski® alumina route be more relevant?

Another Baikowski® alumina route may be more relevant when chemical purity, shaping method or sintering temperature becomes the main selection driver.

Comparative sintering data show that BMA15 densifies earlier than PBA6-WL under the tested conditions. BMA15 reaches about 97.6% relative density at 1350°C and 98.9% at 1450°C, while PBA6-WL reaches about 80.1% and 92.1% at the same temperatures. This makes BMA15 a relevant route to evaluate when lower-temperature densification is required.

However, the choice is not based on densification temperature alone. PBA6-WL remains the route to evaluate when the priority is a Ready-To-Press alumina powder. BMA15, for example, is available for dip coating and slip casting routes. CRA6 may be considered when a 4N milled α-alumina powder with controlled particle size distribution and surface area is required.

Relative density vs. temperature of PBA6-WL compared to Baikowski CRA6 and BMA15 solutions 

About customisation ?

Baikowski®’s technical team works with customers to assess compatibility with their specific constraints — target density, sintering profile, shrinkage budget, microstructure requirements and final ceramic property targets.

When standard PBA6-WL characteristics do not fully match the process window, physicochemical powder properties can be adapted. Depending on the project, customization may involve dopant level, purity profile, BET surface area, particle size distribution, flowability, sinterability or final product form.

Review the Full PBA6-WL Process Dataset

Download the PBA6-WL technical leaflet to access the process data needed to evaluate this 3N Ready-To-Press alumina route, including:

• particle size distribution;
• debinding and consolidation profile;
• linear shrinkage up to 1600°C;
• sintering maps;
• grain size versus relative density;
• final ceramic properties after sintering.