I. Forooghi , M. Mashhadi,
Volume 39, Issue 4 (Journal of Advanced Materials-Winter 2021)
Due to their unique features, Ultra-High Temperature Ceramics (UHTCs) have potential applications in aerospace, military and industry. ZrB2-SiC composite as one of these ceramics has been at the center of researches due to its attractive mechanical, thermal and oxidation resistance. In this study, the effect of ZrC addition on pressureless sintering behavior, mechanical, microstructural and thermal properties of ZrB2-SiC nanocomposite were investigated. For this purpose, micron-sized ZrB2 and ZrC powders and nano-sized SiC powder were used. ZrB2-20vol% SiC nanocomposites with addition of (3, 6, 9, 12, 15) vol% ZrC were sintered by pressureless sintering method at 2100 ºC. The results showed that the addition of ZrC improved relative density, hardness and fracture toughness of ZrB2-20vol% SiC nanocomposite. Optimum properties were obtained in a sample containing 12 vol% ZrC and the relative density, hardness and fracture toughness of this sample were reported to be 99.01%, 16.95 Gpa and 5.43 Mpa.m0.5, respectively. Thermal analysis of the samples showed that by adding ZrC, thermal diffusivity of this nanocomposite reduced. The highest thermal diffusivity at room temperature equaled 35.3 mm2 /s and was obtained for ZS composite.
