Enhanced Mechanical Properties of Machinable LaPO ₄ /Al ₂ O ₃ Composites by Spark Plasma Sintering

Abstract

LaPO 4 /Al 2 O 3 composites were fabricated by spark plasma sintering. The effects of LaPO 4 contents on the mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. The bending strength and fracture toughness can reach the maximum value of 568.2±30 MPa and 4.8±0.5 MPa·m 1/2 for the composite with 16.4 vol% LaPO 4 addition, respectively. The elastic moduli and hardness of the composites decreased with increasing LaPO 4 content. Furthermore, the experimental results show that the composites can be machined by a tungsten carbide drill as the LaPO 4 volume fraction is higher than 34.4 vol%.