ZrB2-Al3BC3 composites prepared using Al-B4C-C additives and spark plasma sintering

Al3BC3 was fabricated by in-situ reaction of Al, B4C and activated carbon additives, which improved both sinterability and mechanical properties of the ZrB2 ceramics. The densification of ZrB2 was nearly completed at 1700 degrees C using spark plasma sintering (SPS). Both fracture toughness and flexural strength of ZrB2 ceramics increased with the content of sintering additives, which respectively reached a maximum of 6.17 MPa m(1/2) and 529 MPa at 15 wt% ABC content. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.