Sintering behavior of Al2O3-TiC composite powder prepared by SHS process

Al2O3-TiC: composite powder was prepared by the self-propagating high-tempe rature synthesis (SHS) process, using TiO2,, Al, and C powders as raw mater ials. The effects of keeping the TiO2:Al:C molar ratio fixed at 3:4:2.7 whi le varying the carbon sources and cooling time on the products were studied . The highest combustion temperature and combustion velocity were obtained at activated carbon. But, microstructure and mechanical properties of sinte red Al2O3-TiC composite did not show any significant differences according to the carbon sources. Hot pressing was found to be very effective in hinde ring the formation of pore and obtaining a dense sintered body at 1650 degr eesC. The sintered body produced by hot-pressing was about 98.8% and 99.2%: of the theoretical density for synthesized and commercial powder respectiv ely. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.