Manufacturing of Al(2)O(3)/Ni/Ti Composites Enhanced by Intermetallic Phases

In this study, ceramic–metal composites in the Al(2)O(3)/Ti/Ni system were fabricated using the slip casting method. Two series of composites with 15 vol.% metal content and different solid phase contents were obtained and examined. A proper fabrication process allows obtaining composites enhanced by intermetallic phases. The microstructure of the base powders, slurries, and sintered composites was analyzed by scanning electron microscope. Analysis of the sedimentation tendency of slurries was carried out. The phase composition of the sintered samples was examined by X-ray diffraction analysis. A monotonic compression test was used to investigate the mechanical properties of the composites. A fractography investigation was also carried out. The research conducted revealed that the slip casting method allows the obtaining of composites enhanced by intermetallic phases (TiNi, Ni(3)Ti). The results show the correlation between solid-phase content, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the composites.