Microstructure and mechanical properties of B4C–TiB2–SiC composites toughened by composite structural toughening phases

B 4 C–TiB 2 –SiC composites toughened by composite structural toughening phases, which are the units of (TiB 2 –SiC) composite, were fabricated through reactive hot pressing with B 4 C, TiC, and Si as raw materials. The units of (TiB 2 –SiC) composite with the size of 10-20 μm are composed of interlocking TiB 2 and SiC with the size of 1-5 μm. The addition of TiC and Si can effectively promote the sintering of B 4 C ceramics. The relative densities of all the B 4 C composites with different contents of TiB 2 and SiC are close to completely dense (98.9%-99.4%), thereby resulting in superior hardness (33.1-36.2 GPa). With the increase in the content of TiB 2 and SiC, the already improved fracture toughness of the B 4 C composite continuously increases (5.3-6.5 MPa·m 1/2 ), but the flexure strength initially increases and then decreases. When cracks cross the units of the (TiB 2 –SiC) composite, the cracks deflect along the interior boundary of TiB 2 and SiC inside the units. As the crack growth path is lengthened, the crack propagation direction is changed, thereby consuming more crack extension energy. The cumulative contributions improve the fracture toughness of the B 4 C composite. Therefore, the composite structural toughening units of the (TiB 2 –SiC) composite play an important role in reinforcing the fracture toughness of the composites.