Temperature dependent hardness and strength properties of TiB 2 with TiSi 2 sinter-aid

Abstract

From the perspective of high temperature structural applications, it is important to evaluate temperature dependent mechanical properties of titanium diboride (TiB 2) ceramics. The present study reports the effect of TiSi 2 content (up to 10 wt.%) and temperature on hardness and strength of TiB 2. The hardness properties were measured from room temperature (RT)—900 °C in vacuum; the four-point flexural strength properties were evaluated at selected temperatures in air up to 1000 °C. An attempt has been made to discuss the difference in hardness and strength properties with sinter-aid amount and microstructure. Our experimental results clearly indicated that the addition of 2.5 wt.% TiSi 2 to TiB 2 resulted almost full densification at a lower hot pressing temperature of 1650 °C without compromising on the high temperature strength and hardness properties. The hot pressed TiB 2–2.5 wt.% TiSi 2 ceramic could retain moderate strength of more than 400 MPa and hardness of 9 GPa at 1000 °C and 900 °C, respectively.