Effect of Alumina on the Structure and Mechanical Properties of Spark Plasma Sintered Boron Carbide. Issue 11 (11th August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xie, Kelvin Y.; Toksoy, Muhammet F.; Kuwelkar, Kanak; Zhang, Binwei; Krogstad, Jessica A.; Haber, Richard A.; Hemker, Kevin J.; Kim, H.‐E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of the American Ceramic Society. Volume 97:Issue 11(2014)
• Page Start: 3710
• Page End: 3718
• Publication Date: 2014-08-11
• Subjects: Ceramics -- Periodicals; 620.1405
• DOI: 10.1111/jace.13178
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-7820

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jace13178-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Uniform densification of relatively thick (~7 mm) consolidated boron carbide plates at relatively low temperatures (e.g. 1800°C) and low facture toughness are two of the primary challenges for further development of boron carbide applications. This work reports that these two challenges can be overcome simultaneously by adding 5 wt% alumina as a sintering aid. Nearly fully dense (97%), fine grained boron carbide (B₄C) samples were produced using spark plasma sintering at 1700°C and above in the B₄C‐5 wt% Al₂O₃ system. The alumina and boron carbide matrix reacted to form an Al₅O₆BO₃ (a mullite‐like phase) during sintering. The Al₅O₆BO₃ phase facilitated uniform densification via liquid phase sintering. This secondary phase is dispersed throughout the intergranular pores, providing obstacles for crack propagation and resulting in tougher boron carbide ceramics.</p> </abstract>