Sintering behavior, microstructure and mechanical properties of vacuum sintered SiC/spinel nanocomposite

A mixture of SiC and spinel (MgAl₂O₄) nanopowder was prepared through the ball milling of talc, aluminum and graphite powder. The powder was uniaxially pressed into the form of pellets and the prepared specimens were annealed at various temperatures for different holding times. The prepared samples were investigated through X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoindentation test, cold crushing strength (CCS) test and Archimedes principle test. The obtained results showed that the hardness, CCS and bulk density did not follow the same trend at different temperatures due to the interaction among various parameters. The detailed investigation of microstructure, phase changes and experimental conditions revealed the mechanisms behind these behaviors. The best sample obtained after annealing at 1200 °C for 1 h in vacuum had the mean hardness of 1.6 GPa and the mean CCS of 118 MPa.