Evaluation of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Al-TiC Metal Matrix Composite Prepared by Conventional, Microwave and Spark Plasma Sintering Methods
Ehsan Ghasali,
Ali Fazili,
Masoud Alizadeh,
Kamyar Shirvanimoghaddam,
Touradj Ebadzadeh
Affiliations
Ehsan Ghasali
Ceramic Department, Materials and Energy Research Center, Alborz, P.O. Box 31787-316 Karaj, Iran
Ali Fazili
Ceramic Department, Materials and Energy Research Center, Alborz, P.O. Box 31787-316 Karaj, Iran
Masoud Alizadeh
Ceramic Department, Materials and Energy Research Center, Alborz, P.O. Box 31787-316 Karaj, Iran
Kamyar Shirvanimoghaddam
Carbon Nexus, Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
Touradj Ebadzadeh
Ceramic Department, Materials and Energy Research Center, Alborz, P.O. Box 31787-316 Karaj, Iran
In this research, the mechanical properties and microstructure of Al-15 wt % TiC composite samples prepared by spark plasma, microwave, and conventional sintering were investigated. The sintering process was performed by the speak plasma sintering (SPS) technique, microwave and conventional furnaces at 400 °C, 600 °C, and 700 °C, respectively. The results showed that sintered samples by SPS have the highest relative density (99% of theoretical density), bending strength (291 ± 12 MPa), and hardness (253 ± 23 HV). The X-ray diffraction (XRD) investigations showed the formation of TiO2 from the surface layer decomposition of TiC particles. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs demonstrated uniform distribution of reinforcement particles in all sintered samples. The SEM/EDS analysis revealed the formation of TiO2 around the porous TiC particles.
