High‐Strength Zirconium Diboride‐Based Ceramics

TLDR

Zirconium diboride ceramics with 10–30 vol % SiC were fabricated by hot pressing from commercial powders and characterized by four‑point bend strength, fracture toughness, elastic modulus, and hardness measurements. Increasing SiC content raised strength from 565 MPa to over 1000 MPa and toughness, while modulus and hardness remained unchanged, attributed to grain‑size reduction and WC presence.

Abstract

Zirconium diboride (ZrB 2 ) and ZrB 2 ceramics containing 10, 20, and 30 vol% SiC particulates were prepared from commercially available powders by hot pressing. Four‐point bend strength, fracture toughness, elastic modulus, and hardness were measured. Modulus and hardness did not vary significantly with SiC content. In contrast, strength and toughness increased as SiC content increased. Strength increased from 565 MPa for ZrB 2 to >1000 MPa for samples containing 20 or 30 vol% SiC. The increase in strength was attributed to a decrease in grain size and the presence of WC.