Influence of ZrC Addition on the Physical, Mechanical Properties, and Crack Growth Behavior of ZrB2-SiCn/SiCm-Si3N4 Hybrid Composite Fabricated Through Pressureless Sintering Process

Subject Areas :

Mohammad Sarhangian ¹ , Mehri Mashhadi ^{2 *}

1 - PhD Student, Malek Ashtar University of Technology, Faculty of Materials & Manufacturing Technologies, Tehran, Iran.
2 - AssosiateProfessor, Malek Ashtar University of Technology, Faculty of Materials & Manufacturing Technologies, Tehran, Iran

Received: 2024-05-26 Accepted : 2024-08-02 Published : 2025-04-30

Keywords: Ultra-High Temperature Ceramics ZrB2 Pressureless Sinter ZrC.,

Abstract :

Attention to ultrahigh temperature ceramics has increased significantly due to the advancements in 21^st century technologies and efforts to develop reusable thermal protection systems and other compounds required for future generations of hypersonic aerospace vehicles. In this research, the addition of zirconium carbide (ZrC) as a reinforcement in volumes ranging from 5 to 40% was investigated for its impact on the mechanical properties and crack growth behavior of ZrB₂-SiCn/m composites) with 3% silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) by volume) The results indicate that volumetric shrinkage decreases with increasing ZrC content. The highest relative density increase was observed in the ZrB₂-SiC_n/m-30%ZrC sample, with a percentage increase of 97.04%. Since cracks cannot pass through the ZrC particles, these particles increase the toughness by altering the crack path and bridging the crack. Moreover, the sample containing 30% volume fraction of ZrC exhibited the highest fracture toughness (4.26 MPa.m^1/2) and hardness (16.3 GPa).

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