Low-temperature sintering behavior and mechanical properties of BN-ZrO2-SiC composites

A novel pressure-assisted transient viscous phase sintering process has been used to fabricate dense BN-ZrO 2 -SiC composites at relatively low sintering temperatures . The sintering behavior and densification mechanism of BN-ZrO 2 -SiC composites incorporated with B 2 O 3 as transient viscous phase have been investigated. A rapid densification process occurs at about 1300   °C, which is attributed to the in-situ formation of SiO 2 by chemical reactions among ZrO 2 , SiC and B 2 O 3 . BN-ZrO 2 -SiC composites sintered at 1300   °C under 100   MPa exhibit a relative density of 95.9%, a flexural strength of 242   MPa and a fracture toughness of 4.1   MPa   m 1/2 .