Comparison of spark plasma and microwave sintering of mullite based composite: Mullite/Ta2O5 reaction

In this study, mullite ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) reinforced with Ta2O5 particles (10wt%) were fabricated through spark plasma sintering (SPS) and microwave sintering (MW) methods. The prepared batches were sintered at 1200 degrees C and 1300 degrees C in SPS method. The composite was also sintered at 1300 degrees C by MW method. In SPS, in order to achieve maximum densities, the sintering temperature increased so that the maximum displacements maintain in each sample. By reaching the temperature to 1200 degrees C in SPSed sample, the punch displacement stopped, while at 1300 degrees C in the same sample, it occurred at 1300 degrees C. The results showed that a high enough density was achieved in SPS sintered samples, while the MW sintered sample revealed higher amounts of porosities (23.81 +/- 0.08%) and water absorption (12.20 +/- 0.08%) together with low bulk density (2.562 +/- 0.003 g/cm(3)). The values of apparent density, porosity, and water absorption of the SPS sintered sample at 1200 degrees C were obtained as 3.283 +/- 0.002 g/cm(3), 2.38 +/- 0.05% and 1.02 +/- 0.04%. Also, these values for the SPSed sample at 1300 degrees C were 3.301 +/- 0.001 g/cm(3), 1.53 +/- 0.03% and 0.48 +/- 0.05%, respectively. The higher punch displacement, higher bulk density, lower porosity and water absorption of the SPSed sample at 1300 degrees C might be due to the higher sintering temperature, which causes the reduction of porosities alongside the increase in the probable reactions between the mullite and Ta2O5 phases. The XRD and FESEM investigations revealed the formation of AlTaO4 phases at mullite/Ta2O5 boundaries. It was also proved that increasing the sintering temperature has a significant effect on AlTaO4 phase formation. The SPSed sample at 1200 degrees C obtained the maximum bending strength of 329 +/- 31 MPa in comparison to the sample sintered at 1300 degrees C (228 +/- 26 MPa).