Low-temperature densification of TiB2 ceramic by the spark plasma sintering process with Ti as a sintering aid

The microstructure and the mechanical properties of TiB2 ceramics synthesized by the spark plasma sintering (SPS) process with Ti sinter-aid were investigated. The results indicate that the addition of 2.5 wt.% Ti significantly decreases the densification temperature of the TiB2 ceramic. The TiB2 ceramic sintered at 1650 degrees C exhibits the highest relative density of 99.1%, a microhardness of 26.8 +/- 1.6 GPa, a flexural strength of 558 +/- 39 MPa and a fracture toughness of 5.9 +/- 0.3 MPa m(1/2). (C) 2011 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.