ZrB2-SiC Composites Toughened by Interlocking Microstructure and Chopped Carbon Fiber

doi:10.15541/jim20180557

Abstract

Abstract:

ZrB₂-SiC ceramics present better oxidation resistance and mechanical properties than monolithic ZrB₂ ceramics. However, the small damage tolerance and poor crack growth resistance, which result in the low fracture toughness, limit the engineering application of ZrB₂-SiC ceramics. Focusing on this issue, microstructure design and introduction of toughening phase are two effective approaches to improve the fracture toughness of ZrB₂-SiC ceramics. In this work, ZrB₂-SiC and C_f/ZrB₂-SiC composites were toughened respectively by interlocking microstructure and chopped carbon fibers via reactive hot pressing. For the ZrB₂-SiC composites, the interlocking microstructure formed by in-situ ZrB₂ platelets presented excellent self-enhancing effect. The ZrB₂-SiC composites had high bending strength and fracture toughness. However, the composite exhibited typical brittle fracture characteristics. Compared with ZrB₂-SiC composite, the flexural strength of C_f/ZrB₂-SiC composite decreased, but the fracture toughness was comparable with the ZrB₂-SiC composite. Furthermore, the critical crack size and the work of fracture of C_f/ZrB₂-SiC composites significantly improved, and the composite presented the non-catastrophic failure mode.

Key words: ultra-high temperature ceramic, interlocking microstructure, chopped carbon fiber, ZrB₂-SiC, fracture property

CLC Number:

TB332

ZHANG Zhao-Fu,SHA Jian-Jun,ZU Yu-Fei,DAI Ji-Xiang. ZrB₂-SiC Composites Toughened by Interlocking Microstructure and Chopped Carbon Fiber[J]. Journal of Inorganic Materials, 2019, 34(9): 918-924.

Figures/Tables 9

Fig. 1 The densification curves of ZrB2-SiC(ZS) and Csf/ZrB2-SiC(Csf/ZS) composites

Table 1 Density, porosity and relative density of ZS and Csf/ZS composites

Sample	Theoretical density/ (g?cm^-3)	Bulk density/ (g?cm^-3)	Open porosity/ %	Closed porosity/ %	Relative density/ %
ZS	4.52	4.41	1.72	0.68	97.6
C_sf/ZS	3.97	3.79	3.27	1.13	95.6

Fig. 2 XRD patterns of ball-milled powder mixture and reactive hot pressed composites

Fig. 3 (a) Backscattered electron micrograph taken from polished surface of ZS sample, (b) secondary electron micrograph taken from fracture surface of ZS sample, and (c) EDS analysis taken from the point A in (a)

Fig. 4 SEM micrographs of Csf/ZS composites (a) Polished surface; (b) Interfacial domain

Table 2 Mechanical properties of ZS and Csf/ZS composites

Sample	Vickers hardness /GPa	Flexural strength, σ/MPa	Fracture toughness, K_IC/ (MPa?m^1/2)	K_IC/σ	Work of fracture/ (J?m^-2)
ZS	(17.1±0.7)	(655±21)	6.08±0.17	0.009	149.40
C_sf/ZS	(13.8±0.2)	(368±27)	(5.41±0.25)	0.015	264.06

Fig. 5 Load-displacement curves of ZS and Csf/ZS composites during SENB tests

Fig. 6 (a) Secondary electron micrograph taken from fracture surface of ZS sample, and (b) backscattered electron micrograph of indentation crack propagation on polished surface of ZS sample

Fig. 7 SEM micrographs of Csf/ZS composites (a) Fracture surface; (b) Matrix; (c, d) Crack propagation path

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ZrB₂-SiC Composites Toughened by Interlocking Microstructure and Chopped Carbon Fiber

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