Effect of High-Energy Ball Milling of ZrB₂ Powder on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of ZrB₂-SiC Ceramics

Abstract:

The sinterability of ZrB₂-20vol.% SiC ceramics by high-energy ball milling as well as introduction of Zr and Al as sintering additives. Densification process and microstructure of ZrB₂-SiC ceramics were investigated. After high-energy ball milling, the average particle size decreased to about 500 nm-2 μm, and ZrB₂-SiC powder can be sintered to 98.92% theoretical density at 1800 °C, but a trace of amount of oxidation (ZrO₂) were detected in sintered sample. Introduction of Zr, Al and C combined with high-energy ball milling enhanced the densification of ZrB₂-SiC ceramics and reduced the particle sizes, and the relative density of obtained ceramic reached up to 99.49% at 1800 °C. The additions of Zr, Al and C can remove the oxide impurities of the surface of ZrB₂ particles and form a reaction between oxide impurities. The fracture toughness increased of the 40% when ZrB₂ powders were milled by high-energy ball milling, and increased to 4.77±0.18 MPa•m^1/2. However, the attrition-milled composites had lower hardness and Young’s modulus, which was attributed to the presence of a second phase in the grain boundaries.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volumes 512-515)
• Pages: 723-728
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.512-515.723
• Online since: June 2012
• Authors: Q.L. Guo, Jun Guo Li, Qiang Shen, Lian Meng Zhang
• Keywords: High-Energy Ball Milling, Mechanical Property, Microstructure, ZrB₂-SiC

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