The SPS process was performed in graphite die under high
pulsed direct current (between 1000 and 3500 A) in vacuum at-
mosphere (9 Pa) and final pressure of 30 MPa for 5 min at 500 C.
2.4. Examination of mechanical and microstructure properties
The phase identification of the prepared composites was carried
out with a Philips X0
Pert System using a Cu ka radiation
(l ¼ 1.5405) and an imaging plate detector over 2q range 10e80 in
reflection geometry. The bulk density of sintered samples was
determined by Archimedes' Principle. The bending and compres-
sive strength measurements were examined by Santam-STm 20.
The bending strength samples were obtained by cutting the disc
shape samples with 30 mm diameter and 4 mm thickness fabri-
cated by SPS. Vickers microhardness values of the sintered samples
weremeasured by aMKV-h21Microhardness Tester under a load of
1 kgf for 15 s using at least ten successive indentations for each
sample. Microstructural characterization of sintered samples were
examined using SEM (Stereoscan 360, Leica Cambridge).
3. Results and discussion