Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

The present invention provides a nickel cermet, which includes: 35% to 70% by weight of a nickel phase, and 65% to 30% by weight of zirconium oxide phase, wherein the zirconium oxide is stabilized in cubic form by 5 to 20 moles of yttrium oxide for each 100 moles of said zirconium oxide, and the metal nickel and zirconium oxide phases, upon X ray diffraction analysis are distinct and homogeneously distributed; and is prepared by a process that includes: a) dispersing zirconia stabilized by yttria having a particle size of between 1 and 40 .mu.m , in demineralized water to prepare a suspension; b) dissolving a hydrosoluble and thermodecomposable nickel salt in demineralized d water to prepare a solution; c) mixing the nickel solution with the suspension and homogenizing the resulting dispersion by magnetic stirring for a time of between 5 and 40 minutes; d) eliminating the water from the dispersion by a system capable of operating without, or almost without, decomposition phenomena to obtain a solid that includes particles of zirconia stabilized by yttria covered with nickel salt; e) calcining under oxidating conditions the solid to cause the formation of a solid that includes particles of zirconia stabilized by yttria covered with nickel oxide; and f) treating with hydrogen the solid obtained in step (e) to reduce the nickel oxide to metal nickel and obtain the nickel cermet.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim