Effect of the spark plasma sintering temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a ceramic/metallic glass reinforced hybrid composite

In this investigation, hybrid aluminum matrix composites reinforced with Fe-based metallic glass (FMG) and SiC particles were synthesized using spark plasma sintering (SPS) at different sintering temperatures. The effects of sintering temperature on densification, phases, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the composites were evaluated. The findings indicate that the density of the sintered samples improved with increasing the sintering temperature. The X-ray diffraction results showed no remarkable difference in the phases of the samples sintered at different temperatures; only some small structural changes occurred in the metallic glass reinforcements. The sintering temperature had a significant effect on mechanical properties. For example, the hybrid aluminum matrix composite reinforced with 3 vol% FMG and 7 vol% SiC sintered at 550°C exhibited the ultimate compressive strength of 494 MPa, which is about 47% higher than the same composite sintered at 450°C.