Electroconductive alumina-TiC-Ni nanocomposites obtained by spark plasma sintering

Abstract

In the present work, the processing and characterization of electroconductive Alumina-TiC-Ni nanocomposites obtained by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) are described. These nanocomposites are singular due to the excellent mechanical properties they present (particular regarding Vickers hardness, 25.6 ± 0.7 GPa), as well as their extremely good wear behaviour, studied under "ball-on-disk" dry sliding conditions. The wear rate obtained was 25 times (almost 1.5 orders of magnitude) smaller than the value obtained for a monolithic alumina sintered under the same conditions. Flexural strength had been improved up to 75% with respect to the monolithic alumina processed under the same conditions. As these nanocomposites can be machined by electroerosion (EDM), they can adopt any shape for devices requiring a good mechanical performance and low wear rates. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l.