Spark plasma sintering and mechanical behaviour of ZrC-based composites

ZrC materials containing MoSi2 as a sintering aid in the volumetric range 0-9 vol.% were fully consolidated by spark plasma sintering at temperatures between 1750 and 2100 degrees C. Addition of MOSi2 resulted in a decrease in the sintering temperature, refinement of the microstructure and improvement of the mechanical properties in comparison with the monolithic material. Hardness values were in the range 25-28 GPa, Young's modulus was in the range 420-470 GPa and the flexural strength was in the range 400-600 MPa. (C) 2008 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.