Abstract
A bulk zirconium–tantalum diboride ceramic composite was consolidated by non-reactive spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 2300 °C. In order to consolidate the ZrB2–44 wt% TaB2 composite and restrict grain-growth, a special loading procedure was used. Pressure was applied and released at 2150 °C and 1250 °C, respectively. These SPS conditions allowed us to obtain a crack-free bulk composite with a grain size of 4–8 μm. Flexural strength at temperatures up to 1800 °C was measured for the ZrB2–TaB2 composite. Importantly, at 1600 °C, the strength was 336 ± 23 MPa, which is superior to that of monolithic ZrB2. Moreover, the ZrB2–TaB2 composite only showed plastic behavior at 1800 °C, a finding that is atypical for ZrB2-based ceramics.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 31-35 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | International Journal of Refractory Metals and Hard Materials |
Volume | 66 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2017 Aug 1 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Composite
- Spark plasma sintering
- Strength
- Tantalum diboride
- Zirconium diboride
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ceramics and Composites
- Mechanics of Materials
- Mechanical Engineering
- Metals and Alloys
- Materials Chemistry