Fabrication and characterization of arc melted Si/B co-doped boron carbide

Boron carbide undergoes stress-induced amorphization when subjected to large non-hydrostatic stresses that exceed its elastic limit. This has been proposed as the source for the abrupt loss of shear strength in boron carbide which limits its engineering applications. Si/B co-doping was suggested as one of the means to suppress stress induced amorphization but this has not been experimentally verified. Here, by utilizing arc melting, we prepared Si/B co-doped boron carbide with increased Si content as compared to conventional methods. Through Raman analysis in conjunction with indention and elemental analyses based on SEM and STEM (zeta-factor microanalysis), it is suggested that Si/B co-doping is a promising avenue for suppressing stress-induced amorphization. A comprehensive characterization of microstructure, chemistry, and structural change of boron carbide as a result of Si/B co-doping was elucidated.