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Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of In-Situ B4C-(TiZrHfNbTa) B2 Composite by Reactive Spark Plasma Sintering

  • Recent Advances in Multicomponent Alloys and Ceramics
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Abstract

B4C-45vol.% (TiZrHfNbTa) B2 composite was prepared by in-situ reactive spark plasma sintering at 2000°C using powders of transition metal carbides and amorphous boron as raw materials. The composite reached a relative density of over 97% Within 6 min. The simultaneously generated B4C and (TiZrHfNbTa) B2 phases had homogeneous microstructures with particle sizes ~ 1 μm, and Nb segregations in (TiZrHfNbTa) B2 grains were detected. The composite obtained a high three-point bending strength of 422 MPa, a Vickers hardness of 20.9 GPa and a fracture toughness of 5.48 MPa m1/2, respectively. The fine grain and solid solution effects are the main reasons for the improved properties. The crack deflection, branching, and bridging mechanisms observed are also helpful for an improved fracture toughness of the composite. This work provides a fast, convenient method of preparing novel B4C high-entropy boride composite ceramics with enhanced properties.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 52002003, 52072003 and U1860102), Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province, China (No. 2008085QE196), and Open Fund of Key Laboratory of Green Fabrication and Surface Technology of Advanced Metal Materials (Anhui University of Technology), Ministry of Education (No. GFST2020KF09).

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China, 52002003, Dong Wang, 52072003, Songlin.Ran, U1860102, Songlin Ran, Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province, 2008085QE196, Dong Wang, Open fund of Key Laboratory of Green Fabrication and Surface Technology of Advanced Metal Materials (Anhui University of Technology), Ministry of Education, GFST2020KF09, Dong Wang

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Green Fabrication and Surface Technology of Advanced Metal Materials, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Technology, Ma’anshan, 243002, China

    Dong Wang

  2. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Ma’anshan, 243002, China

    Dong Wang & Kai Xu

  3. Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Metallurgical Engineering & Resources Recycling, Anhui University of Technology, Ma’anshan, 243002, China

    Qinggui Li, Xiang Ding & Songlin Ran

Authors
  1. Dong Wang
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  2. Kai Xu
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  3. Qinggui Li
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  4. Xiang Ding
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  5. Songlin Ran
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Correspondence to Dong Wang or Songlin Ran.

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Wang, D., Xu, K., Li, Q. et al. Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of In-Situ B4C-(TiZrHfNbTa) B2 Composite by Reactive Spark Plasma Sintering. JOM 74, 4129–4137 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-022-05377-y

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