ZrC formation and the phase relations in the SiC–SiO2–ZrC–ZrO2–CaO system

During investigation of the phase relations in the SiC–ZrO 2 –CaO ternary system, it was revealed that ZrO 2 reacted with SiC and CaO to form ZrC and calcium silicate via a series of solid-state reactions. Because these reactions may provide a new route to reaction-sintering of ZrC ceramics, ZrC/SiC and ZrC/salt composites, the formation process of the ZrC phase was analyzed. Subsolidus phase diagram of the related SiC–SiO 2 –ZrC–ZrO 2 –CaO (Si–Zr–Ca–O–C) quinary system at 1400   °C was presented.