Microstructure and Properties of Al2O3/SiCw Composite Ceramics Prepared by Microwave Sintering and Hot Isostatic Pressing

doi:10.16552/j.cnki.issn1001-1625.2025.1174

Abstract

Abstract:

Alumina （Al₂O₃） ceramics are widely recognized for their high hardness， excellent wear resistance， and outstanding chemical stability， making them highly promising for structural applications. In this study， high-performance Al₂O₃/SiC_w composite ceramics were fabricated using a combined process involving microwave sintering followed by hot isostatic pressing （HIP）. The effects of microwave sintering parameters， silicon carbide whisker （SiC_w） content， and HIP post-treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al₂O₃/SiC_w were systematically investigated. The results indicate that with 7% （mass fraction） SiC_w addition and microwave sintering at 1 650 ℃ for 10 min， the Al₂O₃/SiC_w achieves optimal mechanical properties， exhibiting a relative density of 99.2%， Vickers hardness of 18.62 GPa， and fracture toughness of 4.85 MPa·m^1/2. After HIP treatment， the properties of the specimens are further improved. In particular， the specimen with 10% SiC_w shows the best mechanical property， with its relative density increasing from 97.55% to 99.56%， Vickers hardness reaching 19.55 GPa， and fracture toughness attaining 5.05 MPa·m^1/2. Compared to the specimen before HIP treatment， the Vickers hardness and fracture toughness are enhanced by 10.8% and 10.0%， respectively.

Key words: Al₂O₃/SiC_w, microwave sintering, hot isostatic pressing treatment, microstructure, mechanical property

CLC Number:

TQ174

FAN Xinfang, HONG Dongbo, LIN Liangliang, ZHENG Aiqin, WANG Jue, YIN Zengbin. Microstructure and Properties of Al₂O₃/SiC_w Composite Ceramics Prepared by Microwave Sintering and Hot Isostatic Pressing[J]. BULLETIN OF THE CHINESE CERAMIC SOCIETY, 2026, 45(6): 2113-2121.

Figures/Tables 9

Table 1 Properties of raw materials

Raw material	Grain size/nm	Purity （mass fraction）/%	Density/（g·cm^-3）
Al₂O₃	100	99.9	3.99
MgO	50	99.9	3.58
Y₂O₃	50	99.9	5.01
SiC_w	—	99.9	3.21

Table 2 Formula design and theoretical density of specimens

No.	Mass fraction/%				Theoretical density/（g·cm^-3）
No.	Al₂O₃	SiC_w	Y₂O₃	MgO	Theoretical density/（g·cm^-3）
AS3	95.6	3.0	0.7	0.7	3.96
AS5	93.6	5.0	0.7	0.7	3.94
AS7	91.6	7.0	0.7	0.7	3.92
AS10	88.6	10.0	0.7	0.7	3.89
AS13	85.6	13.0	0.7	0.7	3.87

Fig.1 SEM images and properties of specimen AS7 at different sintering temperatures

Fig.2 SEM images and properties of specimen AS7 at different holding time

Fig.3 SEM images of cross-sections of specimens with different SiCw content sintered at 1 650 ℃ for 10 min

Fig.4 Properties and XRD patterns of specimens with different SiCw content

Fig.5 Crack propagation and toughening mechanisms

Fig.6 Changes in relative density and mechanical properties of specimens with different SiCw content before and after HIP treatment

Fig.7 SEM images of specimens with different SiCw content before and after HIP treatment

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Microstructure and Properties of Al₂O₃/SiC_w Composite Ceramics Prepared by Microwave Sintering and Hot Isostatic Pressing

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