Novel Alumina Matrix Composites Reinforced with MAX Phases—Microstructure Analysis and Mechanical Properties

This article describes the manufacturing of alumina composites with the addition of titanium aluminum carbide Ti(3)AlC(2), known as MAX phases. The composites were obtained by the powder metallurgy technique with three types of mill (horizontal mill, attritor mill, and planetary mill), and were consolidated with the use of the Spark Plasma Sintering method at 1400 °C, with dwelling time 10 min. The influence of the Ti(3)AlC(2) MAX phase addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the obtained composites was analyzed. The structure of the MAX phase after the sintering process was also investigated. The chemical composition and phase composition analysis showed that the Ti(3)AlC(2) addition preserved its structure after the sintering process. The increase in fracture toughness for all series of composites has been noted (over 20% compared to reference samples). Detailed stereological analysis of the obtained microstructures also could determine the influence of the applied mill on the homogeneity of the final microstructure and the properties of obtained composites.