Bulk Ti_(1-x)Al_xN nanocomposite via spark plasma sintering of nanostructured Ti_(1-x)Al_xN-AlN powders

摘要

We present successful preparation of bulk Ti_(1-x)Al_xN nanocomposite via spark plasma sintering (SPS) of nanostructured Ti_(1-x)Al_xN-AlN powders. The density, microhardness and fracture toughness of the composite increase with increasing sintering temperature up to 1600 deg C. Increasing the content of the Ti_(1-x)Al_xN solid solution results in a remarkable increase in the material's mechanical characteristics. All these characteristics are comparable to or better than that of TiN. The bulk nanostructured Ti_(1-x)Al_xN densified by SPS at 1600 deg C has a microhardness of 17.5 GPa and a fracture toughness of 7.25 MPa m~(1/2).