The microstructure and mechanical properties of nanocomposites synthesized by chemical processing were investigated. The nanocomposites containing 15 vol% hexagonal BN (h-BN) were fabricated by hot-pressing powders covered with turbostratic BN (t-BN). The t-BN coating on particles was prepared by heating particles covered with a mixture of boric acid and urea in hydrogen gas. TEM observations of this nanocomposite revealed that nano-sized h-BN particles were homogeneously dispersed within grains as well as at grain boundaries. The strength and thermal shock resistance were significantly improved in comparison with the microcomposites.

MgO based nanocomposite powder including ferromagnetic iron particle dispersions, which can be available for the magnetic and catalytic applications, was fabricated by the spray pyrolysis process using ultra-sonic atomizer and reduction processes. Liquid source was prepared from iron (Fe)-nitrate, as a source of Fe nano-dispersion, and magnesium (Mg)-nitrate, as a source of MgO materials, with pure water solvent. After the chamber were heated to given temperatures (500~), the mist of liquid droplets generated by ultrasonic atomizer carried into the chamber by a carrier gas of air, and the ist was decomposed into Fe-oxide and MgO nano-powder. The obtained powders were reduced by hydrogen atmosphere at 600~. The reduction behavior was investigated by thermal gravity and hygrometry. After reduction, the aggregated sub-micron Fe/MgO powders were obtained, and each aggregated powder composed of nano-sized Fe/MgO materials. By the difference of the chamber temperature, the particle size of Fe and MgO was changed in a few 10 nm levels. Also, the nano-porous Fe-MgO sub-micron powders were obtained. Through this preparation process and the evaluation of phase and microstructure, it was concluded that the Fe/MgO nanocomposite powders with high surface area and the higher coercive force were successfully fabricated.