Synthesis and characterization of Al2O3–TiC nano-composite by spark plasma sintering

• The sintered composite material at 1100 °C has lower hardness than at 1500 °C sintered composite material.
• The relative density of sintered composite sample at 1500 °C is higher than the 1100 °C of sintered composite material.
• The Young's modulus of sintered composite sample at 1500 °C is better than 1100 °C of sintered composite material.
• The hardness of sintered composite material at 1500 °C is higher than 1100 °C of sintered composite material.

Al2O3–10TiC composite was synthesized by high energy ball milling followed by spark plasma sintering (SPS) process. Microstructure of the sintered composite samples reveals homogeneous distribution of the TiC particles in Al2O3 matrix. Effect of sintering temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties was studied. The sample sintered at 1500 °C shows a measured density of 99.97% of their theoretical density and hardness of 1892 Hv with very high scratch resistance. These results demonstrate that powder metallurgy combined with spark plasma sintering is a suitable method for the production of Al2O3–10TiC composites.