Spark Plasma Sintering of Ceramic Matrix Composite of TiC: Microstructure, Densification, and Mechanical Properties: A Review

Abstract

The application of monolithic/un-doped/single-phase ceramics has been limited due to their difficulty in sintering and low fracture toughness. Ceramic matrix composites have gained predominant attention in the past decades in comparison to monolithic/un-doped/single phase ceramics, this is as a result of the high fracture toughness, good wear resistance, and high hardness that they (ceramic matrix composite) possess. Also, the use of sintering additives in collaboration with the application of modern consolidation viz spark plasma sintering (SPS) has gained high prominence to nullify these challenges faced by ceramics. Although, previous review has highlighted the use of diverse techniques (hot press, hot isostatic, pressureless sintering, and SPS) on the consolidation of ceramics and its composites. Amidst all these techniques, SPS has stood to be an effective powder metallurgy route for achieving good microstructure and excellent mechanical properties. This review takes a research on the effects of nitrides based sintering additives on the microstructure, densification, and mechanical properties of titanium carbides ceramic matrix by SPS. The review finally concludes on the potential research importance on the types of sintering additives inclusion that should be in further research processes for improvement in material properties of titanium carbides.