The Effects of Transition Metal Oxides (Me = Ti, Zr, Nb, and Ta) on the Mechanical Properties and Interfaces of B4C Ceramics Fabricated via Pressureless Sintering

Abstract

There is little available research on how different transition metal oxides influence the behavior of B4C-based ceramics, especially for Ta2O5 and Nb2O5. B4C-MeB2 (Me = Ti, Zr, Nb, and Ta) multiphase ceramic samples were prepared via in situ pressureless sintering at 2250 °C, involving the mixing of B4C and MeOx powders, namely TiO2, ZrO2, Nb2O5, and Ta2O5. The phase constituents, microstructures, and mechanical properties of the samples were tested. The results indicated that different transition metal elements had different effects on the ceramic matrix, as verified through a comparative analysis. Additionally, the doped WC impurity during the ball milling process led to the production of (Me, W)B2 and W2B5, which brought about changes in morphology and performance. In this study, the Ta2O5-added sample exhibited the best performance, with elastic modulus, flexural strength, Vickers hardness, and fracture toughness values of 312.0 GPa, 16.3 GPa, 313.0 MPa, and 6.08 MPa·m1/2, respectively. The comprehensive mechanical properties were better than the reported values when the mass fraction of the second phase was around five percent.

Advanced Boron Carbide Matrix Nanocomposites Obtained from Liquid-Charge: Focused Review

“…To understand the effect of transition metal oxides on boron carbide-based ceramics, boron carbide/metal diboride B 4 C-MeB 2 (with Me = Ti, Zr, Nb, and Ta) multiphase samples were prepared [57] using in situ pressureless sintering of the B 4 C-MeO x powder mixture at 2250 • C. The ceramic matrix was influenced in different ways by different metals. Tungsten carbide doped during the ball milling contained the inclusions of (Me,W)B 2 and W 2 B 5 phases produced in this process.…”

Improvement of Mechanical Properties of Composites with Surface Modified B4C for Precision Machining

“…In order to achieve the densification and sintering of B 4 C-based ceramics, various sintering aids and second phases were introduced to reduce the sintering temperature. It has been found that carbides and borides such as SiC, TiC, HfC, TaB 2 , TiB 2 , and ZrB 2 benefit the performance improvement of composite ceramics [ 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Chen et al [ 12 ] found that ZrB 2 –ZrC–B 4 C composites have been successfully fabricated by SPRS from B 4 C and different content of Zr, while the flexure strength and hardness decrease first and then increase with increasing Zr content.…”

Features of Mechanical Treatment of Zirconia Crystals when Manufacturing Dies

“…In [2], the method of selective laser sintering was applied. Parts are formed by pressing, as well as without applying pressure [3], using 3-D printing. It is known [4] the use of a plasma spark discharge for processing ceramic surfaces.…”