Fabrication of alumina-titanium composites by spark plasma sintering and their mechanical properties

Alumina (Al2O3) - titanium (Ti) composites were fabricated by the spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique to produce biocompatible materials with superior mechanical properties. To fabricate the composites, powders of Al2O3 and Ti hydride (TiH2) were used as raw materials because it was reported that the use of TiH2 powder enhances the sinterability of Ti phase in composites, compared with the use of Ti powder. The composites made of Al2O3 and Ti powders were also fabricated, and the effects of raw materials on their sintering state and mechanical properties were discussed. Phase constituents were identified by the X-ray diffraction analysis, and it revealed that the Al2O3-Ti composites without any reaction phases were fabricated, irrespective of raw materials. Then, three-point bending tests and hardness tests were conducted, and the bending strength and hardness of the composites made of Al2O3 and TiH2 improved, compared with the composites made of Al2O3 and Ti. Therefore, the use of TiH2 as a raw material was effective to fabricate Al2O3-Ti composites with high strength and hardness.