Textured HfB2-based ultrahigh-temperature ceramics with anisotropic oxidation behavior

Based on recent preliminary results of textured ZrB2-based ceramics, c-axis oriented HfB2-based ultrahigh-temperature ceramics with a Lotgering orientation factor as high as 0.91 were prepared by slip casting in a strong magnetic field alignment, followed by spark plasma sintering. The textured sample displays significantly anisotropic properties. Compared with textured ZrB2-based ceramics, the HfB2-based material shows much better oxidation resistance. (C) 2009 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.