Mechanical properties of B4C–CrB2 binary eutectic composites prepared by arc‐melting

Abstract

AbstractB4C–CrB2 composites were prepared by arc‐melting using B4C and CrB2 powders as raw materials. The eutectic composition of B4C–CrB2 system was 30B4C–70CrB2 (mol%) with a labyrinth‐like irregularly layered eutectic microstructure, composed of B4C phase about 1–2 μm in thickness dispersing in CrB2 matrix, much smaller than raw powders. The interface of the eutectic composite was well bonded, and there were edge dislocations at the interface to alleviate the interface mismatch. The eutectic temperature of B4C–CrB2 composites was approximately 2200 K. At the eutectic composition, the B4C–CrB2 composites showed the maximum Vickers hardness (24.6 GPa) and fracture toughness (4.3 MPa m1/2) at room temperature.