Mechanochemical Synthesis and Rapid Consolidation of Nanostructured CoTi–Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> Composite by Pulsed Current Activated Sintering and Its Mechanical Properties

Nano-powders of CoTi and Al2O3 were synthesized from CoTiO3 and 2Al powders by high energy ball milling. Nanocrystalline Al2O3 reinforced composite was consolidated by pulsed current activated sintering within one minute from mechanochemically synthesized powders of CoTi and Al2O3. The relative density of the composite was 97%. The average hardness and fracture toughness values obtained were 1180 kg/mm2 and 8.5 MPa · m1/2, respectively.