Microstructural evolution of amorphous nano carbon reinforced TiB2–SiC–B4C composite ceramics derived from absorbent cotton. Issue 17 (1st September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Chao; Xie, Shihui; Sun, Mengyong; Liu, Xiaobo; Li, Huaguan; Xiong, Sang; Zhang, Xu
• Is Part Of: Ceramics international. Volume 48:Issue 17(2022)
• Page Start: 25637
• Page End: 25641
• Publication Date: 2022-09-01
• Subjects: TiB2-SiC-B4C ceramics -- Nano carbon -- Microstructure evolution -- Phase transformation; Ceramics -- Periodicals; Céramique industrielle -- Périodiques; Ceramics; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 666
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2022.05.020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-8842

Abstract

Abstract: In this study, amorphous nanocarbon particles were added by the vacuum deposition of absorbent cotton, and TiB2 –SiC–B4 C composite ceramics were prepared via vacuum filtration, cold isostatic pressing, and pressureless sintering. X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were employed to determine the phase transformation and microstructural evolution of the nanocarbon-reinforced TiB2 –SiC–B4 C composites. Based on the high-resolution TEM results, the formation processing of lamellar grains, induced by the presence of parallel nanocarbon particles, was discussed in detail. Furthermore, owing to the optimization of the fracture mode and reinforcement of the nanocarbon particles, the mechanical properties of the composites were found to be significantly improved, that is, the flexural strength and fracture toughness were 585.6 MPa (almost a 39% increase to blank TiB2 –SiC–B4 C composite ceramics) and 5.9 MPa m 1/2 (almost a 55% increase), respectively. The introduction of nanocarbon particles via cotton pyrolysis not only reduced the production cost but also solved the problem of nanophase dispersion, providing a novel strategy for the low-cost preparation and improved performance of structural ceramics.