Effect of Sintering Temperature on the Grain Size and Mechanical Properties of Al2O3-SiC Nanocomposites

In this research, some mechanical properties of Al2O3-based composites containing nanoSiC and nanoMgO additives, including elasticity modulus, hardness, and fracture toughness, have been evaluated. Micron-sized Al2O3 powders containing 0.08 wt.% nanoMgO particles have been mixed with different volume fractions of nanoSiC particles (2.5 to 15 vol.%). Untreated samples have been sintered by using hot-press technique at temperatures of 1600 to 1750 degrees C. The results show significant increases in the mechanical characteristics with increases in the sintering temperature and amount of nanoSiC particles, with the result that the elasticity modulus, hardness, and fracture toughness were obtained as 426 GPa, 21 GPa, and 4.5 MPa.m(1/2), respectively.