| Abstract Scope |
Ceramic-metal composites offer outstanding potential due to their structural and multi-functional properties. However, their fabrication is energy-intensive, and possesses several limitations, such as achieving desired microstructure, tailoring local properties, and scalability. Bioinspiration can create advanced microstructured materials at low cost while improving their properties and functionalities. Here, we used copper-alumina as a model system to propose a facile and versatile fabrication method for bioinspired ceramic-metal composites using co-assembly & co-sintering without pressure. The nacre-like copper-alumina composite, obtained by co-assembling alumina and copper microplatelets using magnetically assisted slip casting and pressureless sintering, requires nearly half the time and energy compared to the commonly used method of freeze casting, pressured sintering, and molten metal infiltration. This processing method also offers design freedom in creating multi-directional aligned structures, functionally gradient microstructures, 3D objects, and is scalable. This approach could interest researchers and engineers seeking simpler processes to produce complicated tools with local properties. |