Abstract
The TiB2–NbC ceramic system was consolidated by reactive spark plasma sintering (SPS). Densification, phase relations, microstructure evolution, and their effect on the properties of SPS-consolidated TiB2–NbC bodies were examined. The densification of TiB2 was enhanced by the addition of NbC, with 10wt% NbC being the most effective. The phases that developed during reaction-driven consolidation of the NbC–TiB2 system at 2000°C were (Nb,Ti) carbide and (Ti,Nb) diboride solid solutions and 1–2µm TiB2 grains. The best balance between hardness (24GPa) and fracture toughness (6.8MPam−2) was found in 30wt% NbC–TiB2 composites consolidated at 2000°C for 5min.
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