Abstract:
SiC/ZrB
2 composites reinforced by SiC nanowhiskers (SiC
W ) and SiC particles (SiC
P) were prepared by a hot-pressing process at 1950℃ under 20 MPa in a flow argon atmosphere. The effects of SiC
W and SiC
P on microstructures,mechanical properties of SiC/ZrB
2 composites were investigated. The results showed that the fracture toughnesses of SiC/ZrB
2 composites with 15 vol% of SiC Wand with 15 vol% of SiC
P were 8.08 MPa· m
1/2 and 8.515 MPa·m
1/2,respectively. The fracture toughness of the SiC/ZrB-composites with both 15 vol% of SiC
W and 15 vol% of SiC
P reached 9.03 MPa·m
1/2. SiC
W and SiC
P effectively improved the densification of SiC/ZrB
2 composites,and limited the coarsening of ZrB
2 grains,which was in favor of improving the bending strength and fracture toughness of the SiC/ZrB
2 composites. Furthermore,the synergistic effect of SiC
W and SiC
P favored the increase of the toughness.