Fabrication of SiCw reinforced ZrB2-based ceramics

ZrB2-based ceramics with SiCw were produced by hot pressing at 1750 °C for 1 h from mixed powders after adding liquid polycarbosilane. The obtained ZrB2-SiCw composites had toughness up to 7.57 MPa m1/2, which was much higher than those for monolithic ZrB2, SiC particles reinforced ZrB2 composites, and other ZrB2–SiCw composites directly sintered at high temperatures. The added liquid polycarbosilane could reduce the sintering temperatures and restrict the reaction of matrix with whisker, which led to fewer damages to the whisker and high fracture toughness.