High-performance B4C-LaB6 composite ceramics fabricated via rapid hot press sintering
In order to solve the problem that boron carbide(B4C)is difficult for sintering densification and poor toughness,the B4C-LaB6 composite ceramics were fabricated via rapid hot press sintering at 2 000℃and 30 MPa with B4C and lanthana(La2O3)as raw materials.The effects of additive La2O3 content on the microstructures and mechanical properties of B4C-LaB6 composite ceramics were investigated,and the toughening mechanism of LaB6 was studied.The results show that the B4C-LaB6 composite ceramics with w(La2O3)=3%have better comprehensive mechanical properties,the relative density,Vickers hardness,bending strength,and fracture toughness reach 99.51%,36.56 GPa,547.43 MPa,and 4.18 MPa∙m1/2,respectively.LaB6 refines the grain,and improves the relative density and fracture toughness of the B4C-LaB6 composite ceramics.The toughening mechanism of LaB6 is related to crack deflection and grain cracking.