Reaction sintering of metal-ceramic AlSI-Al2O3 composites manufactured by binder jetting additive manufacturing process

Abstract

Metal-ceramic composites are attractive materials for various applications due to their high specific strength, wear resistance, thermal stability, and good high-temperature mechanical properties. Binder jetting additive manufacturing is a promising way of manufacturing metal-ceramic composite parts with complex geometry. In this work, Al2O3 - Si powder blend was used to produce metal-ceramic green-parts by binder jetting process. The green-parts were then subjected to reaction sintering and subsequent liquid metal infiltration with aluminum alloy at 1200 ºC. The microstructure and phase composition of the obtained samples were studied using scanning electron microscopy and X-Ray diffraction analysis. Mechanical properties were evaluated using microhardness measurements and compressive tests.