Comparative study of reactive and non-reactive sintering route for producing B6O–TiB2 materials

Boron suboxide (B6O) based materials containing TiB2 additions were produced in this study via two routes (non-reactive and reactive sintering) and were consolidated using a hot press, which was operated between the temperatures of 1800–1900 °C and at an applied pressure of 50 MPa for 20 min dwelling time. Relationships between the formed phases, microstructures and mechanical properties of the sintered materials were established. The density was higher in the reactive sintered materials with finer microstructure than in the non-reactive sintered counterpart. Generally, the mechanical properties of the B6O–TiB2 materials were enhanced when compared to the pure B6O material.