Spark Plasma Sintering of Boron Carbide and Effects of Various Additives on Sintering and Material Properties

The aim of this study was to produce dense and mechanically strong boron carbide ceramics with the help of different oxide additives. Physical properties of two different grades of pure boron carbide powders were analysed and sintered by Spark Plasma Sintering method. Starting powders were prepared by ball milling with the addition of 5 wt. % Y2O3, Al2O3, SiO2 and Y2O3 + Al2O3. In the sintering step, powder mixtures were sintered by SPS method in round-shaped graphite dies under 50 MPa for 5 minutes in the range of 1700-1800oC. In the characterization step, sintered sample compositions and microstructures were characterized by XRD and SEM analysis respectively. The hardness values were measured under 1000 g load and the density values were measured with Archimedes' principle. The fracture toughness analysis were also carried out.