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. 2022 Oct 5;15(19):6909.
doi: 10.3390/ma15196909.

Novel Alumina Matrix Composites Reinforced with MAX Phases-Microstructure Analysis and Mechanical Properties

Mateusz Petrus  1 , Jaroslaw Wozniak  1 , Tomasz Cygan  1 , Wojciech Pawlak  2 , Andrzej Olszyna  1
Affiliations

Novel Alumina Matrix Composites Reinforced with MAX Phases-Microstructure Analysis and Mechanical Properties

Mateusz Petrus et al. Materials (Basel). .

Abstract

This article describes the manufacturing of alumina composites with the addition of titanium aluminum carbide Ti3AlC2, known as MAX phases. The composites were obtained by the powder metallurgy technique with three types of mill (horizontal mill, attritor mill, and planetary mill), and were consolidated with the use of the Spark Plasma Sintering method at 1400 °C, with dwelling time 10 min. The influence of the Ti3AlC2 MAX phase addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the obtained composites was analyzed. The structure of the MAX phase after the sintering process was also investigated. The chemical composition and phase composition analysis showed that the Ti3AlC2 addition preserved its structure after the sintering process. The increase in fracture toughness for all series of composites has been noted (over 20% compared to reference samples). Detailed stereological analysis of the obtained microstructures also could determine the influence of the applied mill on the homogeneity of the final microstructure and the properties of obtained composites.

Keywords: Al2O3; MAX phases; composites; mechanical properties; sintering.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The (a) morphology and (b) XRD analysis of synthesized Ti3AlC2 MAX phase powders.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The relative density of Al2O3/Ti3AlC2 composites.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The fracture surface of (a) Al2O3, (b) Al2O3—10 wt% of Ti3AlC2 from horizontal mill, (c) Al2O3—10 wt% of Ti3AlC2 from Atrittor mill, (d) Al2O3—10 wt% of Ti3AlC2 from planetary mill (the arrows mark areas with a variable fracture mechanism).
Figure 3
Figure 3
The fracture surface of (a) Al2O3, (b) Al2O3—10 wt% of Ti3AlC2 from horizontal mill, (c) Al2O3—10 wt% of Ti3AlC2 from Atrittor mill, (d) Al2O3—10 wt% of Ti3AlC2 from planetary mill (the arrows mark areas with a variable fracture mechanism).
Figure 4
Figure 4
The microstructure of (a) Al2O3—5 wt% of Ti3AlC2 from planetary mill, (b) Al2O3—5 wt% of Ti3AlC2 from Atrittor mill (c) Al2O3—5 wt% of Ti3AlC2 from horizontal mill (the arrows mark the porosity on the interface).
Figure 4
Figure 4
The microstructure of (a) Al2O3—5 wt% of Ti3AlC2 from planetary mill, (b) Al2O3—5 wt% of Ti3AlC2 from Atrittor mill (c) Al2O3—5 wt% of Ti3AlC2 from horizontal mill (the arrows mark the porosity on the interface).
Figure 5
Figure 5
The EDS (Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) elemental map of Al2O3—5wt% of Ti3AlC2 composites.
Figure 6
Figure 6
XRD analysis of (a) Al2O3 + 20 wt% of Ti3AlC2 addition from horizontal mill, (b) Al2O3 + 20 wt% of Ti3AlC2 addition from planetary mill.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Average grain size of alumina in Al2O3-Ti3AlC2 composites.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Average grain size of Ti3AlC2 agglomerates in Al2O3-Ti3AlC2 composites.
Figure 9
Figure 9
The (a) circularity and (b) elongation of Ti3AlC2 agglomerates.
Figure 10
Figure 10
The CVSKIZ (coefficient of SKIZ variation) of homogeneity of the microstructure of obtained composites.
Figure 11
Figure 11
(a) Hardness of Al2O3-Ti3AlC2 composites; (b) fracture toughness of Al2O3-Ti3AlC2 composites.
Figure 11
Figure 11
(a) Hardness of Al2O3-Ti3AlC2 composites; (b) fracture toughness of Al2O3-Ti3AlC2 composites.
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