Influence of TiN addition on densification behavior and mechanical properties of ZrB۲ ceramics

In the present work, densification behavior and mechanical features (fracture toughness and Vickers hardness) of undoped and TiN-doped ZrB۲ ceramic materials, hot-pressed at ۱۸۰۰ °C under ۱۵ MPa for ۱ h, were studied. The addition of only ۵ wt% TiN into ZrB۲ has resulted in an increase in its relative density from ۸۳% to ۹۰%. Removal of oxide contaminations like B۲O۳ via chemical reactions with TiN and new secondary phases formation such as ZrN, h-BN, and (Zr,Ti)B۲ solid solutions were approved employing crystalline phase analysis and microstructural studies. Improvement of densification and restriction of grain growth caused enhancement of mechanical characteristics. The measured values of Vickers hardness and fracture toughness are ameliorated from ۷.۸ GPa and ۱.۵ MPa.m۱/۲ to ۱۴.۱ GPa and ۳.۸ MPa.m۱/۲, respectively.In the present work, densification behavior and mechanical features (fracture toughness and Vickers hardness) of undoped and TiN-doped ZrB۲ ceramic materials, hot-pressed at ۱۸۰۰ °C under ۱۵ MPa for ۱ h, were studied. The addition of only ۵ wt% TiN into ZrB۲ has resulted in an increase in its relative density from ۸۳% to ۹۰%. Removal of oxide contaminations like B۲O۳ via chemical reactions with TiN and new secondary phases formation such as ZrN, h-BN, and (Zr,Ti)B۲ solid solutions were approved employing crystalline phase analysis and microstructural studies. Improvement of densification and restriction of grain growth caused enhancement of mechanical characteristics. The measured values of Vickers hardness and fracture toughness are ameliorated from ۷.۸ GPa and ۱.۵ MPa.m۱/۲ to ۱۴.۱ GPa and ۳.۸ MPa.m۱/۲, respectively.