Structure and Microhardness of Silicon and Titanium Carbide Ceramics Obtained under Different Temperature Conditions

SiC and TiC samples have been obtained by spark plasma sintering. The SiC ceramics samples have the main phase 6H-SiC (α-SiC) and low contents of SiO₂ and 16H-SiC phases. Raman spectroscopy has shown the presence of free unbound carbon in them and a lower structural quality of the surface layer. The samples exhibit microhardness values typical of ceramics with similar porosity values. In turn, the TiC sample is characterized by low porosity, a uniform composition of cubic TiC phase, a small amount of free carbon, and a microhardness typical of TiC alloys. The results obtained allow one to speak about the applicability and prospects of the spark plasma sintering method in the synthesis of functional ceramics.