Densification of tantalum carbide ceramics with 5 mol.% Al, Cu, Ag and Au

The effects of the addition of 5 mol.% aluminum, copper, silver or gold on the densification, microstructures, mechanical properties and oxidation resistance in thin air of TaC ceramics were investigated. Full density and relatively high flexural strength (up to 738 MPa) were observed in the case of the Au addition after spark plasma sintering at 1700 °C for 5 min under 30 MPa pressure. Due to wetting of the TaC grains by a thin metallic film, the consolidated materials showed enhanced oxidation resistance against thin air.