Spark plasma sintering of B4C ceramics : The effects of milling medium and TiB2 addition

• Boron carbide (B4C) ceramics, with a relative density up to 98.4% and limited grain growth, were prepared at 1600-1800 degrees C by spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. The effects of powder milling medium (water and 2-propanol) on the powders' surface characteristics and TiB2 addition on the sintering densification were investigated. The ball milling processing of B4C powders in water can promote the sintering of B4C ceramics. A B2O3 layer on B4C particle surface is concluded to promote the densification of the B4C ceramics at an early sintering stage. This B2O3 layer, which normally inhibits the densification process at the final stage of the sintering, can be reduced through reaction with TiB2 particles, resulting in further densification of the B4C ceramics.

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Materialteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Materials Engineering (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

B4C ceramics

Spark plasma sintering

Milling medium

B(2)O3

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)