Alumina/tungsten nanocomposites obtained by Spark Plasma Sintering

In the present work, the parameters controlling the alumina/W nanopowders Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) process are studied. The important and crucial role of C diffusion from the SPS die in the microstructure, fraction of porosity and new phases formation (W2C) is discussed. It is also pointed out the importance of the processing parameters of the starting powder on the density and mechanical properties of the final compacts. In this regard, dense alumina/nW compacts containing 4 vol.% W with a hardness value as high as 24.6 ± 0.9 GPa were obtained.