Preparation of ZrB₂ ceramics by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis and hot pressing sintering

Abstract

ZrB₂ ceramics were prepared by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) and were sintered by hot pressing (HP). The effects of the granularities and doses of raw materials in Zr−B₂O₃−Mg on SHS process and product were investigated. XRD and combustion temperature curves prove that the ideal SHS reactants of Zr−B₂O₃−Mg are 50 μm Zr powder, 75 μm B₂O₃ powder and 400 μm Mg powder with 45% excessive. The particle sizes of SHS product, acid-leached product, sintered product are 2–5 μm, 0.5–2 μm, 2–10 μm respectively. Chemical analysis indicates that the acid-leached product consists of ZrB₂ (94.59%), ZrO₂ (3.87%) and H₃BO₃ (1.54%). The sintered product has a relative density of 95.4%.

Keywords

zirconium diboride / self-propagating high-temperature synthesis / hot pressing sintering

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