Effect of the sintering temperature on microstructure and properties of Al2O3-Cu-Ni hybrid composites obtained by PPS

In the present research, the influence of sintering temperature on the microstructure and properties of Al2O3-Cu-Ni hybrid composites prepared by the Pulse Plasma Sintering (PPS) technique were described. In this research, three temperatures have been selected: 1250 degrees C, 1300 degrees C, and 1350 degrees C. SEM observations were carried out to determine the distribution of the metallic phase in the composite depending on the sintering temperature. The conducted experiments and microscopic observations enabled a better understanding of the phenomena occurring between the ceramic matrix and metallic phase in the obtained materials. The mechanical properties like a hardness and fracture toughness were measured. The technology applied allowed us to obtain ceramic-metal composites with a homogeneous microstructure. It was found that the sintering temperature influences the selected physical and mechanical properties of the composites produced. It was found that samples produced at 1300 degrees C are characterized by the highest relative density and the mechanical properties.