Mechanical properties of B4C-SiC composites fabricated by hot-press sintering

We fabricated boron carbide-silicon carbide (B4C-SiC) composites by hot-press sintering without additives and evaluated the crystal phase, relative density, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the sintered body. When B4C and SiC were uniformly dispersed in the composite, crystal growth was inhibited, and a sintered body with a fine and uniform microstructure, with improved mechanical properties, was fabricated. The relative density of B4C-SiC composites sintered at temperatures lower than 2000 degrees C and 40 MPa of pressure exceeded 99.8%, and the bending strength and Vickers hardness at B4C 50 wt% were 645 MPa and 30.6 GPa, respectively.