Plasma Arc Welding of ZrB₂-20 vol% ZrC Ceramics

Abstract

Zirconium diboride ceramics containing 20vol% zirconium carbide were preheated to 1450⁰C and plasma arc welded to produce continuous joints. Arc welding was completed using a current of 198A, plasma flow rate of 0.75l/min, and welding speed of~8cm/min. Two fusion zones, having penetration depths of 4.4 and 2.3mm, resulted in different microstructures. One fusion zone contained ZrB2 crystals, up to~1mm in length, and a ZrB2-ZrC eutectic. The second fusion zone revealed ZrB2 and ZrC, along with C that was attributed to diffusion from the graphite support used during welding. ZrB2 and ZrC grains in the latter fusion zone were asymmetric, having an average maximum Feret diameter of 52.4±53.2μm and 10.8±8.1μm, respectively. Hardness, used to identify a heat affected zone for both weldments, increased from 12GPa at the fusion zone boundary, to the hardness of the parent material, 15.2±0.1GPa.

Department(s)

Materials Science and Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Advanced ceramics; Microstructural analysis; Welding; ZrC; Carbides; Ceramic materials; Electric welding; Hardness; Feret diameter; Parent materials; Zirconium carbide; Zirconium diboride

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0955-2219

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2014 European Ceramic Society, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Dec 2014

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