ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 15

Discrimination of Ceramics—Study on the Microstructures of Ceramics
Deki, S
Forensic Chemist, Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyogo Pref. Police Department,

Hashimoto, T
Forensic Chemist, Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyogo Pref. Police Department,

Kanaji, Y
Assistant Professor and Professor, Fac. of Engineering, Kobe University,

(Received 15 June 1993; accepted 15 November 1993)

Abstract

A method for discrimination of alumina ceramics was developed based on the observation of the surface morphology of etched surfaces, density, X-ray diffraction line profiles and grain size distributions.

The experimental observations of the surface microstructure were made, using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), on several different alumina ceramics with high (>99%), middle (96 to 98%) and low (approximately 92%) alumina content in order to identify them. The samples were prepared with a sulfuric acid (4.5 mol/L) etching method performed at 150 ≈ 200°C for 2 h on low and middle purity alumina ceramics and for 4 h on high purity alumina ceramics.

The results indicate that the SEM observation coupled with computerized image analysis to determine grain size distribution is a powerful tool to discriminate among alumina ceramics that exhibit similar morphological characteristics.

The X-ray diffraction line profile study is suggested as an additional useful index for the determination of microcrystalline structure.

Keywords:
forensic science, ceramics

Paper ID: JFS13660J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13660J
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