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ZrB 2 based composites containing 10 vol.-% carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are synthesised by spark plasma sintering at temperatures ranging from 1600 to 18008C and at an applied pressure of 25 MPa. The effects of sintering temperature on densification behaviour, microstructural evolutions and mechanical properties are presented. Results indicate that ZrB 2 -CNT composites fabricated at 16508C have the optimal combination of dense microstructure and properties. The fracture toughness is sensitive to the temperature change and reaches 7.2 MPa m 1/2 for the CNT toughened ZrB 2 ceramics, which is higher than the measured result for monolithic ZrB 2 (3.3 MPa m 1/2 ). The crack deflection and CNT pullout are the dominant toughening mechanisms.

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