Sintering and microstructural behaviour of SHS produced zirconium diboride powder with the addition of C and TiC

The addition of TiC (5-10 wt.%) and C (5 wt.%) was found to enhance the sinterability of SHS produced ZrB2 powder. The densification increased to 94% of the theoretical density with the addition of carbon and TiC. The oxygen impurities normally present on the surface of this diboride powder leads to exaggerated grain-growth during sintering and hinders densification. The addition of C and TiC reduced the surface oxide layer and resulted in improved densification. Less gain-growth was also observed during sintering. (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.