Research on the Densification of Al₂O₃-TiC Composites by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS)

Dense Al₂O₃ TiC composites was prepared by means of combustion synthesizing and spark plasma sintering.The relation between the density,mechanical properties and sintering temperature were investigated.The results show that Al₂O₃ TiC composites with toughness of 4.61 MPa·m ^1/2 and relative density of 99.8% can be prepared under the following sintering conditions:sintering temperature 1 650℃/min;soaking time 5 minutes.Sintering at temperature higher than 1 650℃ is adverse to the further densification of Al₂O₃ TiC composites because of the accelerating of the gas releasing reaction between Al₂O₃ and TiC.The fracture mode of the Al₂O₃-TiC composites is mainly intracrystalline fracture.