Strengthening Mo2BC ceramic by a two-step sintering process

Mo2BC ceramic has potential application value in structural fields due to its high strength and hardness. However, the microstructures and mechanical properties of ceramics are greatly depended on the sintering process. In this paper, the effect of sintering temperature on microstructures and mechanical properties of Mo2BC ceramics has been studied. Mo2BC ceramic bulks were fabricated at the temperature varying from 1300 degrees C to 1600 degrees C under a pressure of 50 MPa by fast hot-pressing sintering method. It is well confirmed that the sintering temperature can remarkably influence microstructural evolution and mechanical properties. The results presented here provide an optimal sintering process to prepare Mo2BC ceramic bulks. It is established that the two-step sintering process is an effective method to refine the microstructures and improve the mechanical properties. Based on the two-step sintering process, the relative density of as-prepared Mo2BC ceramic bulk is as high as 98.5 %. Besides, the Vickers hardness, compressive strength, flexural strength and fracture toughness are all evidently improved, of which the values are 20.1 GPa, 4.95 GPa, 511.5 MPa and 4.7 MPa m1/2, respectively. The enhanced mechanical properties are mainly attributed to the refinement strengthening effect and high relative density.

Automated summary

This study investigates the effect of sintering temperature on the microstructures and mechanical properties of Mo2BC ceramics. The two-step sintering process is found to significantly improve the relative density, Vickers hardness, compressive strength, flexural strength, and fracture toughness of the Mo2BC ceramics.