Spark Plasma Sintering of Ceramic Matrix Composite of ZrB2 and TiB2: Microstructure, Densification, and Mechanical Properties—A Review

Abstract

The relentless effort for the innovation of improved materials for application in high-temperature environment, structural and functional application has paved the way for the synthesis of ceramics based materials—with current research activities being channeled towards the application of metallic and non-metallic based nano-powders as a sintering additive or as a reinforcement for ceramic-based materials. Metallic and non-metallic based nanopowders additive possesses excellent thermal, physical, and mechanical properties and hence, serves as a good additive for ceramic-based materials in achieving good sinterability, full densification, and excellent mechanical properties. One of the critical factors that have affected the densification and properties of the ceramic-based material is the type of consolidation applied. Powder metallurgy (PM) is the most prominent technique to date for the syntheses of ceramic-based materials. Although previous reviews have stated diverse PM techniques viz., hot press, hot-isostatic press, pressureless sintering, spark plasma sintering (SPS). More also, various reinforcement such as Metallic and non-metallic based nano-powders additive has been used in achieving the desired properties. SPS amidst diverse PM techniques has been given high attention to the routes of manufacturing ceramic materials because good microstructures and excellent mechanical properties can be achieved. This review focuses on past, present, and future works of ZrB2, and TiB2, reinforced with sintering additive with more attention on silicides, carbides, or nitrides based material as sintering additive.