Spark plasma sintered step graded Al2O3–NbC composites

Functionally graded materials (FGM) present enormous potential to combine with distinct mechanical and thermal properties in a component via compositional gradient throughout the body. In work, step Al2O3/NbC composites were assessed order obtain FGM high hardness good fracture toughness. Step uniaxially pressed cylinders consolidated by Spark plasma sintering (SPS) into fully dense (>99% TD) crack-free bodies. The designed was successfully maintained after and, due density of FGMs, it possible up 25.1 GPa toughness ~5 MPa m1/2.