Effect of TiO₂ doping on rapid densification of alumina by plasma activated sintering

The effects of plasma cycle and TiO₂ doping on sintering kinetics during plasma activated sintering (PAS) of γ−Al₂O₃ have been studied in the temperature range of 1473–1823 K. Multiple plasma cycle leads to higher densification. Also, TiO₂ doping enhances the sintering kinetics during PAS. In TiO₂ doped specimens, near full density was obtained at 1673 K in less than 6 min using multiple plasma cycle. It is suggested that the dielectric properties of a material are critical for the success of the PAS process.