Abstract: Studies on carbon-doping activated sintering of B₄C powders with a specific surface area of
2.53m²/g obtained by jet milling were carried out. The effects of carbon-doping agent, carbon-doping content, and specific surface area
on B₄C sintering density were also studied. The results show that carbon-doping promotes greatly the densification of B₄C. Among three
carbon-doping agents such as black carbon, glucose, and phenolic resin, the addition of phenolic resin makes B₄C reach a highest sintering
density, with an optimum carbon-doping content of 3%～5%C. The relative density of B₄C is 92.1%TD when sintered at 2200℃ for 1h, and 94.4%TD at 2250℃. If the vibratory milled B₄C powders with a specific surface area of 8.30m²/g are used, the density of B₄C sintered at 2200℃ increases to 95.6%TD.

Key words: boron carbide, powder, jet milling, activated sintering