Highly electro-conductive B 4C–TiB 2 composites with three-dimensional interconnected intergranular TiB 2 network

• DOI: 10.26599/jac.2023.9220677
• Publication Date: 2022-12-07T06:36:17Z
• Authors: Jun ZHAO; Dong WANG; Xing JIN; Xiang DING; Jianhua ZHU; Songlin RAN
• Keywords: Spark Plasma Sintering; Vickers hardness test

To achieve lightweight B₄C-based composite ceramics with high electrical conductivities and hardness, B₄C–TiB₂ were fabricated by reactive spark plasma sintering (SPS) using B₄C, TiC, amorphous B as raw materials. During the process, fine particles are firstly <i>in situ</i> synthesized reaction between TiC B. Then, large B₄C tend to grow at cost of small particles. Finally, TiB₂ grains surround create a three-dimensional interconnected intergranular network, which is beneficial for an electro-conductive network greatly improves conductivity ceramics. The effect particle size on mechanical properties was investigated. When initial powders 10.29 µm, obtained B₄C–15 vol% exhibit 2.79×10⁴ S/m density low 2.782 g/cm³, together excellent including flexural strength, Vickers hardness (<i>HV</i>), fracture toughness (<i>K</i>_IC) 676 MPa, 28.89 GPa, 5.28 MPa·m^1/2, respectively.