Influence of composition on microstructure, mechanical properties and oxidation behavior of ZrB<sub>2</sub>/ZrAlC composite ceramics

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Influence of composition on microstructure, mechanical properties and oxidation behavior of ZrB₂/ZrAlC composite ceramics

State Key Lab of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology">Qilong GUO, Caio V. JUVENCIO DA SILVA, Mei LIN, Sijun LUO, Junjun PEI, Xiaoqing WANG, Junguo LI, Lianmeng ZHANG

Author information

Qilong GUO
Key Laboratory of New Building Materials and Building Energy Efficiency of Gansu Province, School of Civil Engineering, Northwest Minzu University
State Key Lab of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology
Caio V. JUVENCIO DA SILVA
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal Institute of Pernambuco
Mei LIN
School of Civil Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology
Sijun LUO
International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (WPI-I2CNER), Kyushu University
Junjun PEI
Key Laboratory of New Building Materials and Building Energy Efficiency of Gansu Province, School of Civil Engineering, Northwest Minzu University
Xiaoqing WANG
Key Laboratory of New Building Materials and Building Energy Efficiency of Gansu Province, School of Civil Engineering, Northwest Minzu University
Junguo LI
State Key Lab of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology
Lianmeng ZHANG
State Key Lab of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology

Keywords: Composite ceramic, Mechanical properties, Oxidation behavior

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2019 Volume 127 Issue 12 Pages 878-886

DOI https://doi.org/10.2109/jcersj2.19150

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Abstract

ZrB₂/ZrAlC composite ceramics were successfully synthesized from Zr, Al, graphite and ZrB₂ powders by using a spark plasma sintering method. The volume content of ZrAlC has a major impact on the fracture toughness. ZrAlC-rich (≥70 vol.%) composite ceramics exhibit much higher fracture toughness than do ZrB₂-rich (≥60 vol.%) composite ceramics. The evidently larger ZrAlC grains in the ZrAlC-rich composite ceramics lead to a longer crack propagation path for toughening. Both the Vickers hardness and Young’s modulus of composite ceramics increase slightly with an increase in the ZrB₂ volume content. The evident oxidation of composite ceramics at 1000°C results in the formation of Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ and Al₄B₂O₉. At 1200°C, the composite ceramics exhibit a fluffy and porous top oxidized layer composed of whiskers of Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ and Al₄B₂O₉ grains, and the thickness of the oxidized layer and oxidation mass gain increase with an increase in the ZrAlC volume content. The ZrB₂-rich composite ceramics with less than 40 vol.% ZrAlC content do not exhibit apparently larger oxidation mass gain than does the pure ZrB₂ ceramic after oxidation at 1200°C and higher temperatures. The composition-dependent microstructure and properties provide a comprehensive insight for the development of high-temperature composite ceramics based on ZrAlC and ZrB₂.

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