Abstract
Fully dense (ZrB2+ZrC)/Zr3[Al (Si)]4C6 composites with ZrB2 content varying from 0 to 15 vol.% and fixed ZrC content of 10 vol.% were successfully prepared by in situ hot-pressing in Ar atmosphere using ZrH2, Al, Si, C and B4C as raw materials. With the increase of ZrB2 content, both the bending strength and fracture toughness of the composites increase and then decrease. The synergistic action of ZrB2 and ZrC as reinforcements shows significant strengthening and toughing effect to the Zr3[Al (Si)]4C6 matrix. The composite with 10 vol.% ZrB2 shows the optimal mechanical properties: 516 MPa for bending strength and 6.52 MPa·m1/2 for fracture toughness. With the increase of ZrB2 content, the Vickers hardness of the composites shows a near-linear increase from 15.3 GPa to 16.7 GPa. The strengthening and toughening effect can be ascribed to the unique mechanical properties of ZrB2 and ZrC reinforcements, the differences in coefficient of thermal expansion and modulus between them and Zr3[Al (Si)]4C6 matrix, fine grain strengthening and uniform microstructure derived by the in situ synthesis reaction.
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