Synthesis of dense, high-defect-concentration B4C through mechanical activation and field-assisted combustion

Dense fine-grained B4C was synthesized by the spark plasma sintering (SPS) method using mechanically activated elemental powders. Relative densities of up to 95% were achieved. When characterized by X-ray line broadening methods, the grains of the resulting product were determined to be nanometric in scale. However, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations showed the product to be composed of a mixture of fine (nanometric) crystallites and grains in the micrometer range. The TEM images showed a highly defective structure containing a high density of twins. Their presence is the reason for the discrepancy between the X-ray and TEM results.