Pressureless Sintering of Zirconium Diboride using Boron Carbide and Carbon Additions

Author

Sumin Zhu
William Fahrenholtz, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow
Greg Hilmas, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow
Shi C. Zhang, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow

Abstract

The synergistic roles of boron carbide and carbon additions in the enhanced densification of zirconium diboride (ZrB₂) by pressureless sintering have been studied. ZrB₂ was sintered to > 99% relative density at 1900⁰C. The combination of 2 wt% boron carbide and 1 wt% carbon promoted densification by removing surface oxide impurities (ZrO₂ and B₂O₃) and inhibiting grain growth. Four-point bending strength (473±43 MPa), Vickers' microhardness (19.6 ± 0.4 GPa), fracture toughness (3.5 ± 0.6 MPa·m ^1/2), and Young's modulus (507 GPa) were measured. Thermal gravimetry showed that the combination of additives did not have an adverse effect on the oxidation behavior.

Recommended Citation

S. Zhu et al., "Pressureless Sintering of Zirconium Diboride using Boron Carbide and Carbon Additions," Journal of the American Ceramic Society, vol. 90, no. 11, pp. 3660 - 3663, Blackwell Publishing, Nov 2007.

The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1551-2916.2007.01936.x

Department(s)

Materials Science and Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Boron Carbide Additions; Pressureless Densification; Zirconium Diboride

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0002-7820; 1551-2916

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2006 Wiley-Blackwell, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Nov 2007