Synthesis of Al2O3/Mo2N Composite Materials Using Capsule-free Nitrogen HIPing and their Evaluation

Abstract

Synthesis of dense composite materials with the compositions of Al2O3/Mo2N=100/0∼40/60 vol% has been attempted directly from Al2O3/Mo mixed raw powder compacts using capsule-free N2 hot isostatic pressing (HIP). During HIPing [1500°C/(16∼20-200MPa)/1h], solid/gas reaction between Mo and N2 was introduced to form Mo2N. The most of sintered composites consisting of only Al2O3 and Mo2N phases reached to a higher relative density than 98.0 % with closed pores nevertheless capsule-free HIPing. Dispersion of Mo2N particles just formed suppressed the grain growth of Al2O3 during sintering. Mechanical properties, such as bending strength (σb), Vickers hardness (HV), fracture toughness (K1C), and other properties have been evaluated as a function of their compositions. The best mechanical values of σb (∼573 MPa), HV (∼20.3 GPa) and K1C (∼5.00 MPa·m1/2) were attained at the composition of Al2O3/Mo2N=90/10 vol%, due to a high density (98.6 %) and small grain size of Al2O3 matrix (Gs∼4.70 μm). Further addition of Mo2N reduced the sinterability of matrix grains, resulting in low densities of around 90 % at the 40/60 vol% composition.