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Article
Mechanical Behavior of Zirconium Diboride-Silicon Carbide-Boron Carbide Ceramics up to 2200 ⁰C
Journal of the European Ceramic Society
  • Eric W. Neuman, Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • Greg Hilmas, Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • William Fahrenholtz, Missouri University of Science and Technology
Abstract

The mechanical properties of hot pressed zirconium diboride-silicon carbide-boron carbide (ZrB2-SiC-B4C) ceramics were characterized from room temperature up to 2200⁰C in an argon atmosphere. The average ZrB2 grain size was 3.0μm. The SiC particles segregated into clusters, and the largest clusters were > 30μm in diameter. The room temperature flexural strength was 700MPa, decreasing to 540MPa at 1800⁰C and to 260MPa at 2200⁰C. The strength was controlled by the SiC cluster size up to 1800⁰C. At higher temperatures, strength was controlled by formation of liquid phases, and precipitation of large BN and B-O-C-N inclusions. The mechanical behavior of these materials changes at ~1800⁰C, meaning that extrapolation of properties from lower temperatures is not accurate. Mechanical behavior in the ultra-high temperature regime was dominated by impurities and changes in microstructure. Therefore, the use of higher purity materials could lead to significant improvements in ultra-high temperature strength.

Department(s)
Materials Science and Engineering
Keywords and Phrases
  • Failure analysis,
  • Mechanical properties,
  • Silicon carbide,
  • Ultra-high temperature ceramics,
  • Zirconium diboride,
  • Boron carbide ceramics,
  • Mechanical behavior
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2015 Elsevier Ltd, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
2-1-2015
Publication Date
01 Feb 2015
Citation Information
Eric W. Neuman, Greg Hilmas and William Fahrenholtz. "Mechanical Behavior of Zirconium Diboride-Silicon Carbide-Boron Carbide Ceramics up to 2200 ⁰C" Journal of the European Ceramic Society Vol. 35 Iss. 2 (2015) p. 463 - 476 ISSN: 0955-2219
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/greg-hilmas/106/