Spark Plasma Sintering and Characterization of Al-TiB(2)Composites

In this study, Al-TiB(2)compacts fabricated by spark plasma sintering methods at different temperatures were characterized for densification, microstructural development, and mechanical properties. Sintering parameters used were temperatures of 500 degrees C and 550 degrees C under the pressure of 30 MPa. A very dense microstructure with uniform phase distribution and porosity was produced in the sample sintered at 550 degrees C with 2.5 wt% TiB2. The same sample exhibited excellent hardness value, and a high-tensile strength attributed to full metallurgical bonding, presence of sub-micron sized grains, and their uniform distribution. These results show that the TiB(2)addition enhanced the composite's hardness, sintered density, and tensile strength. In all the sintered samples, the fractographs revealed a mixed-mode fracture (ductile and brittle).