Effect of TiC Slurry Concentration on Microstructure and Properties of TiC/ZTA Conductive Ceramic Composites through Pressureless Sintering

ZTA (zirconia toughened alumina) and TiC were used as raw materials to prepare TiC/ZTA conductive ceramic composites by using pressureless sintering. The effect of TiC slurry concentration on microstructure and properties of the TiC/ZTA conductive ceramic composites were studied. It is found that the pressureless-sintered sample contained α-Al₂O₃, t-ZrO₂, m-ZrO₂ and TiC. The TiC phase was distributed around the ZTA ceramic grains, forming TiC network. When the TiC slurry concentration was 15 wt.%, the TiC/ZTA conductive ceramic composites exhibited the highest comprehensive properties, with the volume density, open porosity, Vickers hardness, flexural strength, fracture toughness and electrical resistivity being 4.16 g∙cm⁻³, 0.22%, 16.4 GPa, 383.4 MPa, 6.28 MPa∙m^1/2 and 1.7×10⁻² Ω∙m, respectively.