Tailoring Plate-Like Grained ZrB2 Ceramic via a Strong Magnetic Field Alignment Method Followed by Spark Plasma Sintering

Through strong magnetic field alignment (SMFA) method followed by spark plasma sintering (SPS), dense tailored ZrB₂ ceramic could be prepared using the plate-like grains as initial material. The measured Lotgering orientation factor f_(00l) on the textured top surface (TTS) was high as 0.62 and f_(hk0) on the textured side surface (TSS) was 0.65. Vickers hardness measurement showed the anisotropic mechanical property of textured sample. On the TTS, the hardness was 13.4 ± 0.9 GPa, while on the TSS the hardness was 12.0 ± 0.9 GPa.