Abstract
Textured Nb4AlC3 ceramic was successfully fabricated in a strong magnetic field followed by spark plasma sintering. The optimized suspension parameters for slip casting were determined to be 20 vol% Nb4AlC3 and 2 wt% polyethyleneimine dispersant of powder in deionized water. After texturing in a strong 12 T magnetic field followed by cold isostatic pressing, the relative green densities were 50.4% and 58.7%, respectively. A dense Nb4AlC3 sample was obtained by sintering at 1450°C under a pressure of 30 MPa in vacuum. X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that the preferred orientation of Nb4AlC3 grains parallel to the magnetic field direction was along the c‐axis. The Lotgering orientation factors on the textured top surface (TTS) and textured side surface (TSS) were determined to be f(00l)=0.59 and f(hk0)=0.64, respectively. The layered texture microstructure contributed to laminar transgranular and intergranular fractures. The indentation response on the TTS showed isotropy and that on the TSS revealed anisotropy.
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