Preparation of an Advanced Al2O3 Based Nanocomposite Ceramic Die Material
Through the incorporation of nano sized Titanium Carbonitride powders into the Al2O3 matrix, an advanced Al2O3/Ti(C7N3) nanocomposite ceramic die material was fabricated by vacuum hot pressing technique. Effects of the content of nano Ti(C7N3) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the nanocomposite ceramic die material were investigated. It indicates that both flexural strength and fracture toughness were increased noticeably compared with the pure micrometer sized alumina ceramic. Toughening mechanisms of the ceramic composite were also analyzed. It reveals that the intragranular/intergranular microstructures and the resulted transgranular/intergranular fracture modes are the main causes for the reinforcing and toughening of the nanocomposite ceramic die material.