Direct additive manufacturing of Al <sub>2</sub> O <sub>3</sub> –TiCp functionally graded ceramics by laser‐directed energy deposition
Xuexin Yu, Dongjiang Wu, Weiming Bi, Xiao Feng, Ziyuan Zhao, Yunbo Hao, Guangyi Ma, Cong Zhou, Fangyong Niu
Abstract
Abstract Functionally graded ceramics (FGCs), which combine the properties of various composite ceramics, have been widely used in the aerospace, armament, and other industries. One of the newest melt‐growth ceramic additive manufacturing techniques, laser directed energy deposition (LDED), enables the creation of gradient materials by controlling the ratio of powder delivery. Ceramic–ceramic type gradient materials are the subject of fewer studies, and the majority of LDED gradient material systems now in research are metal–metal type and metal–ceramic type gradient materials. In this paper, LDED is used to create TiCp reinforced Al 2 O 3 FGCs with three different transition paths. The results indicate that the longitudinal section of the gradient samples distinctly exhibits characteristics of gradient distribution. Furthermore, as the proportion of TiCp increases, there is a corresponding increase in the proportion of TiCp particles in the samples. The microstructure of Al 2 O 3 transforms from columnar crystals to irregular shapes. Regarding the mechanical properties of the gradient samples, the area containing 30 wt.% of TiCp shows a significant improvement in wear resistance, with a 48.13% increase compared to the Al 2 O 3 region. Additionally, this region demonstrates a 12.62% rise in hardness and a 9.48% increase in fracture toughness.