Processing of boron carbide-aluminum composites

Journal Article · Mon May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · Journal of the American Ceramic Society; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1151-2916.1989.tb06216.x· OSTI ID:5190334

Halverson, D C ^[1]; Pyzik, A J; Aksay, I A ^[2]; Snowden, W E ^[3]

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1. Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
2. Washington Univ., Seattle, WA (United States). Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering
3. Defense Research and Engineering, The Pentagon, Washington, DC (US)

The processing problems associated with boron carbide and the limitations of its mechanical properties can be significantly reduced when a metal phase (e.g., aluminum) is added. Lower densification temperatures and higher fracture toughness will result. Based on fundamental capillarity thermodynamics, reaction thermodynamics, and densification kinetics, we have established reliable criteria for fabricating B{sub 4}C-Al particulate composites. Because chemical reactions cannot be eliminated, it is necessary to process B{sub 4}C-Al by rapidly heating to near 1200{degrees} C (to ensure wetting) and subsequently heat-treating below 1200{degrees} C (for microstructural development).

• OSTI ID: 5190334
• Journal Information: Journal of the American Ceramic Society; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of the American Ceramic Society; (United States) Vol. 72:5; ISSN JACTA; ISSN 0002-7820
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360601* -- Other Materials-- Preparation & Manufacture
ALLOYS
ALUMINIUM ADDITIONS
ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
BORON CARBIDES
BORON COMPOUNDS
CARBIDES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMMINUTION
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
FABRICATION
FRACTURING
HEAT TREATMENTS
HEATING
MATERIALS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MICROSTRUCTURE
PARTICLES
PARTICULATES
THERMODYNAMICS
VERY HIGH TEMPERATURE
WETTABILITY
YIELD STRENGTH