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Article
Solidification of Welded SiC-ZrB₂-ZrC Ceramics
Journal of the American Ceramic Society
  • Derek King
  • Jeremy Lee Watts, Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • Kathleen S. Cissel
  • Ali H. Kadhim
  • Greg Hilmas, Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • William Fahrenholtz, Missouri University of Science and Technology
Abstract

A silicon carbide-based ceramic, containing 50 vol% SiC, 35 vol% ZrB2, and 15 vol% ZrC was plasma arc welded to produce continuous fusion joints with varying penetration depth. The parent material was preheated to 1450°C and arc welding was successfully implemented for joining of the parent material. A current of 138 A, plasma flow rate of ~1 L/min or ~0.5 L/min, and welding speed of ~8 cm/min were utilized for repeated joining, with full penetration fusion zones along the entire length of the joints. Solidification was determined to occur through the crystallization of β-SiC (3C), then the simultaneous solidification of SiC and ZrB2, and lastly through the simultaneous solidification of SiC, ZrB2, and ZrC through a ternary eutectic reaction. The ternary eutectic composition was determined to be 35.3 ± 2.2 vol% SiC, 39.3 ± 3.8 vol% ZrB2, and 25.4 ± 3.0 vol% ZrC. A dual fusion zone microstructure was always observed due to convective melt pool mixing. The SiC content at the edge of the fusion zone was 57 vol%, while SiC content at the center of the fusion zone was 42 vol% although the overall SiC content was still nominally 50 vol% throughout the entire fusion zone.

Department(s)
Materials Science and Engineering
Comments
This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, under Award Number DE-SC0017082.
Keywords and Phrases
  • Borides,
  • Carbides,
  • Joints/Joining,
  • Phase Equilibria,
  • Ultra-High Temperature Ceramics
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2018 American Ceramic Society, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
9-1-2018
Publication Date
01 Sep 2018
Disciplines
Citation Information
Derek King, Jeremy Lee Watts, Kathleen S. Cissel, Ali H. Kadhim, et al.. "Solidification of Welded SiC-ZrB₂-ZrC Ceramics" Journal of the American Ceramic Society Vol. 101 Iss. 9 (2018) p. 4331 - 4339 ISSN: 0002-7820; 1551-2916
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/greg-hilmas/214/