Simultaneous synthesis and densification of α-Zr(N)/ZrB2 composites by self-propagating high-temperature combustion under high nitrogen pressure

Simultaneous synthesis and densification of α-Zr(N)/ZrB2 composites from a 85 mol% Zr/15 mol% B mixed-powder compacts have been achieved by self-propagating high-temperature under a nitrogen pressure of 10 MPa. Composites consist of fine and short rodlike ZrB2 grains (0.1 μmϕ–0.5 μml) dispersed into α-Zr(N) matrix (3 μm). Dense composite materials (96.5% of theoretical) exhibit excellent mechanical properties, in which their bending strength and Hv are 560 MPa and 6.5 GPa, respectively. This bending strength is much superior to those (205 and 480 MPa) of dense equi-axial α-Zr(N) (10 μm) and dense ZrB2 (6 μm). Fine and rodlike ZrB2 grains greatly enhanced their mechanical properties.