A novel sintering method of Al2O3/SiCw ceramic composites with improved wear resistance: Oscillatory pressure‐assisted sinter forging.

As a typical ceramic tool, the wear resistance of Al 2 O 3 /SiC w composites is a prominent parameter in engineering applications. Therefore, how to improve its wear resistance has becomes a research emphasis of ceramic tools. In this work, the Al 2 O 3 /SiC w composites with improved wear resistance were prepared by a novel oscillatory pressure-assisted sinter forging (OPSF) process. The composites prepared by OPSF process not only exhibit higher density and significantly improved mechanical properties, but also own lower coefficient of friction than conventional sinter forging and hot oscillatory pressing processes. EBSD results indicated that the OPSF process could improve the texture of (0001) crystal face, low-angle grain boundaries, high-angle grain boundaries with special angles in the Al 2 O 3 matrix and enhance shear deformation at micro-scales, which are multiple contributed to enhanced wear resistance. Therefore, OPSF process is a promising technique to prepare ceramic-based cutting tools with excellent mechanical properties and wear resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]