Low temperature spark plasma sintering of Al2O3-TiC composites

Al2O3-TiC composites were fabricated using spark plasma sintering (SPS) technology between 1300 °C and 1500 °C. The composite densification process starts at 950 °C, with a maximum densification rate at 1170 °C. After thirty minutes soaking at 1400 °C, a relative density of 99.5% was achieved. Microstructure analysis reveals a submicron Al2O3 grain size and homogenous distribution of titanium carbide in the matrix. The fully dense Al2O3-20 wt% TiC composite exhibits high values of fracture toughness (8.3 MPa m1/2), Young׳s modulus (406 GPa), flexural strength (850 MPa) and hardness (21 GPa).