Microstructure and mechanical effects of spark plasma sintering in alumina monolithic ceramics

The specific effects of spark plasma sintering (SPS) on the creep behavior, microstructure and mechanical properties of alumina monolithic ceramic were investigated. SPS introduces strains that concentrate at grain boundaries and inhibit crack growth, resulting in an improvement in the flexural strength and fracture toughness. However, creep blocks grain boundary movements and decreases the reliability of the material. These strains can be removed by a post-sintering thermal treatment, which plays an important role in the distribution of dislocations. Crown Copyright (c) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. on behalf of Acta Materialia Inc. All rights reserved.The authors would like to acknowledge the help of the EU for the financial support received under the IP-NANOKER NMP3-CT-2005-515784. A.B. acknowledges the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for her Juan de la Cierva Contract (JCI-2011-10498). The authors are grateful to the Central Support Service in Experimental Research (SCSIE), University of Valencia for providing the HR-TEM facility.Alvarez-Clemares, I.; Borrell Tomás, MA.; Agouram, S.; Torrecillas, R.; Fernandez, A. (2013). Microstructure and mechanical effects of spark plasma sintering in alumina monolithic ceramics. Scripta Materialia. 68(8):603-606. doi:10.1016/j.scriptamat.2012.12.016S60360668