Structure and mechanical properties of hot- pressed composite ceramics W₂B₅‒ZrB₂‒SiC‒B₄C

A high-density ceramic material (97 % of theoretical density) was obtained by hot pressing of ball-milled powders W 2 B 5 , ZrB 2 , SiC and B 4 C with holding for 15 minutes at a temperature of 1850 ° C and a pressure of 30 MPa in an argon atmosphere. The structure and composition of material were investigated by X -ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X -ray spectroscopy. Vickers hardness (19,3 GPa), crack resistance coefficient (5,7 MPa·m 1/2 ) and bending strength (695 MPa) were determined.