Effects of sintering temperature and pressure on fabrication of porous Al2O3 by pulsed electric current sintering process

Abstract

In this article, the effects of temperature and pressure on the structure and mechanical properties of porous Al₂O₃ ceramic materials fabricated by pulsed electric current sintering (PECS) were investigated. The results showed that a decrease in pressure led to an increase in the porosity, which reached a maximum value of 65.6% at 1000^oC with an applied pressure of 30 MPa. Additionally, the porosity tended to increase as the sintering temperature decreased, with the minimum value of 58.5% achieved at 1150^oC under the same applied pressure of 30 MPa. On the other
hand, when the applied pressure increased, there was an increase in compressive strength, with a maximum value of 16.68 MPa at 1150^oC under an applied pressure of 40 MPa. When the sintering temperature decreased, compressive strength decreased, with a minimum value of 6.86 MPa at 1000^oC under an applied pressure of 30 MPa. The obtained results have shown the important role of sintering temperature and pressure in improving the mechanical properties of Al₂O₃ porous ceramic materials and provided a scientific basis for the development of these materials.