Achieving highly flowable AlON spherical powders via spray drying technology.

In this work, the mono-dispersed and high-flowable AlON spherical powders were obtained for the first time. Spherical pure AlON particles with a mean size of approximately 51.9 μm were prepared from the C/Al 2 O 3 mixture via spray drying technology followed by a calcined step at 1750 °C for 0.5 h. Compared with the irregular-shaped AlON powders obtained by the conventional route, the as-prepared spherical AlON powders present higher flowability and filling properties. The Carr index and Hausner ratio of these AlON powders are 73.5 and 1.13, respectively. This work provides a paradigm for obtaining highly flowing spherical ceramic powders, which is desirable for the preparation of complex-shaped AlON ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]