Investigation on addition of talc on sintering behavior and mechanical properties of B4C

The effect of high alumina talc powder as a sintering aid on densification of boron carbide powder was investigated. The in situ reaction of talc with boron carbide generate SiC, MgB2, and alumina, which all aid the sintering process and permit pressureless sintering at temperatures between 2050 and 2150 degrees C. The microstructure-property relationship has been studied in the B4C-talc system for talc content between 0 and 30 wt.%. It became clear the addition of talc powder has a significant effect on the sintering behavior of B4C. B4C composites along with talc powder additions were sintered up to 98% of theoretical density. The mechanical properties were improved over those of samples without talc addition.