Reactive Hot Pressing of ZrB2–SiC–ZrC Composites at 1600°C

Abstract

A ZrB2–SiC–ZrC ceramic was produced by reactive hot pressing using Zr, Si, and B4C as raw materials. The kinetics of the reaction process was studied. The reduction of powders by ball milling is of crucial importance for the sintering. The self‐propagating high‐temperature synthesis reaction between the raw powders can be ignited by controlling the sintering conditions, which leads to a sintering temperature as low as 1600°C, the lowest sintering temperature reported thus far. The relative density is 97.3%, with an open porosity of 0.6%, and the mechanical properties are comparable to the composites that sintered at higher temperatures. The depletion of oxygen impurities during the sintering was discussed.