Flexural strength and fracture behavior of ZrB2–SiC ultra-high temperature ceramic composites at 1800 °C

ZrB2–15 vol.%SiC and ZrB2–30 vol.%SiC composites with smaller starting particle sizes in which the particle sizes of ZrB2 and SiC are 2 μm and 0.5 μm, respectively, demonstrated marked plasticity and significant reduction in the flexural strength at 1800 °C. The flexural strengths of these two composites are 112 ± 12 MPa and 48 ± 10 MPa, respectively, and their corresponding strength retentions are 13% and 7%, respectively. Large ZrB2 grains were commonly observed in the samples containing 15 vol.%SiC, which are always the sites for the crack initiation. Cavities were found in the samples containing 30 vol.%SiC and the grain boundaries are the main sites for the crack and cavity nucleation. To improve ultra-high temperature strength, larger starting particle sizes (ZrB2 and SiC are 5 μm and 2 μm, respectively) were used for the preparation of ZrB2–15 vol.%SiC. This sample fractured in an elastic manner up to 1800 °C and showed a very high strength with a value of 217 ± 16 MPa.