Effect of Spark Plasma Sintering on Densification, Mechanical Properties and Cutting Performance of Titanium Carbide Whisker/Alumina Composite Ceramics

Composite ceramics of alumina mixed with 20vol% titanium carbide whiskers were fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) and hot-pressing at 1300 to 1650°C under 30MPa for 5min. The SPS brought about dense titanium carbide whisker/alumina composites at a sintering temperature of 1500°C, which was about 100°C lower than that in the hot-pressing process. The composites obtained by SPS had mechanical properties slightly higher than those obtained by hot-pressing. The alumina matrix grains in the composites prepared by SPS grew larger than those by hot-pressing. The cutting performance (wear resistance and fracture resistance) of dense sintered bodies fabricated by SPS resulted to be slightly improved over those by hot-pressing, due to their higher mechanical properties.