Cermet materials are important new engineering materials with combined advantages of ceramics and metals. In this study, Al2O3/Al cermet materials were prepared through powder metallurgy. The effect of sintering technology on the properties of Al2O3/Al cermet materials was analyzed as basis for preparing high-performance cermet materials. Results showed that when the sintering temperature was increased from 700 oC to 1000 oC under holding time for 1 h, the densification degree and hardness of Al2O3/Al cermet materials decreased and the electric resistivity increased. In the microstructure of Al2O3/Al cermet materials, Al particles were larger and continuously distributed, whereas the Al2O3 particles were smaller and discontinuously distributed. When the holding time was increased under sintering temperature of 700 oC, the densification degree and hardness of Al2O3/Al cermet materials also increased, and the electric resistivity decreased. When 25 wt% Al2O3/Al cermet materials were sintered at 700 oC for 3 h, the densification degree was higher, with hardness of 2203 HV and electric resistivity of 0.0159 Ω • m.

Keywords: Cermet materials, Alumina, Aluminum, Sintering densification, Electric resistivity.