Percolating Ta/Nb-Al$_2$O$_3$ Refractory Composites via Spark Plasma Sintering

The electrification of high-temperature industrial processes requires refractory materials that combine thermal stability with tailored electrical functionality. In this study, Ta/Nb-Al$_2$O$_3$ composites were prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS) to investigate densification, metal-phase deformation, electrical conductivity and percolation behavior. Coarse, fine and superfine alumina powders were combined with tantalum or niobium and sintered at 1300–1600 °C for 5 min with 50 MPa uniaxial pressure. The results show that the alumina particle size and morphology strongly influence the formation of conductive metal networks. Coarse alumina promotes deformation and elongation of the metallic phase, thereby improving metal-phase connectivity and lowering the operational percolation threshold. Fine and superfine alumina enhance densification but can delay percolation by embedding metal particles in a dense ceramic matrix. Combining these fractions, both effects can be balanced, enabling improved densification while maintaining effective conductive pathways. An operational percolation threshold of 7.5 vol.-% was obtained for Ta/coarse alumina, indicating highly effective metal-phase connectivity after SPS. ... mehrMicrostructural analysis supports the interpretation that matrix-controlled metal-particle deformation and spatial distribution govern the electrical response. Tailored alumina matrix design can reduce the refractory metal content required for conductive ceramic–metal composites.