Effect of ball milling treatment on the microstructures and properties of Cr₂AlC powders and hot pressed bulk ceramics

Ball milling was used on synthesized Cr₂AlC powders, and dense Cr₂AlC bulk ceramics with almost pure phase were fabricated by hot pressing these ball milled Cr₂AlC powders at 1300 °C for 2 h under 30 MPa. The phase compositions and the microstructures of powders and bulk ceramics were characterized. The mechanical properties and dislocation analysis of bulk ceramics were also investigated. Our results indicated that the grain size of powders became uniform and smaller after ball milling, which was also inherited in the bulk ceramics. Moreover, the mechanical properties of hot pressed Cr₂AlC ceramics, including flexural strength, fracture toughness, and Vickers hardness, significantly increased by using ball milled powders treated at speed 200 rpm. The organization of hexagonal dislocation networks during hot pressing and reduction of grain size both had a positive effect on improving mechanical properties.