Alumina-based composites strengthened with titanium and titanium carbide dispersions

Abstract

The synthesis of Al 2 O 3 -based composites having different amount of fine titanium and titaniumdispersed carbide reinforcement-particles has been explored. Two experimental steps have been set for the synthesis; namely, solid sintering of Al 2 O 3 -titanium powders which were thoroughly mixed under high energy ball-milling, pressureless-sintered and then for the second step it was induced formation of titanium carbide at 500 C by the cementation packing process. SEM analyses of the microstructures obtained in cemented bodies were performed in order to know the effect of the activated carbon used as cementant on the microstructure of titanium for each studied composite. It was observed that a titanium carbide layer growth from the surface into the bulk and reaches different depth as the titanium content in the composites was increased. The use of reinforcing titanium significantly enhanced density level and fracture toughness of the composites.