Fabricating geometrically-complex B4C ceramic components by robocasting and pressureless spark plasma sintering. (1st March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Eqtesadi, Siamak; Motealleh, Azadeh; Perera, Fidel H.; Miranda, Pedro; Pajares, Antonia; Wendelbo, Rune; Guiberteau, Fernando; Ortiz, Angel L.
• Is Part Of: Scripta materialia. Number 145(2018)
• Page Start: 14
• Page End: 18
• Publication Date: 2018-03-01
• Subjects: B4C -- Robocasting -- Pressureless spark plasma sintering -- Complex-shaped parts; Materials -- Periodicals; Metallurgy -- Periodicals; Metalen; Legeringen; Materiaalkunde; Metals, metalworking and machinery industries; Metals; Electronic journals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scriptamat.2017.10.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-6462

Abstract

Abstract: Robocasting and pressureless spark plasma sintering are combined for the first time to fabricate geometrically-complex B4 C components. It is shown that robocasting allows B4 C green pieces to be printed with near-net shape from inks with suitable rheological properties, and that subsequent pressureless spark plasma sintering permits an ultrafast, energy-efficient, solid-state densification that yields B4 C parts with adequate mechanical properties. Furthermore, the usefulness of cold-isostatic pressing to improve the densification of the pieces is evaluated, and the benefits of robocasting over conventional dry powder compaction are identified. Finally, the scalability for the production of large B4 C pieces is discussed. Graphical abstract: