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ZrB2 and ZrB2-SiC powders have been produced by reducing ZrO2 and ZrSiO4 with B4C without using any furnace. Magnesium was added to the mixtures of (ZrO2+B4C) and (ZrSiO4+B4C). The reaction has been assisted by a floral thermite packed around the compacts. By introducing elemental Si into (ZrO2+B4C) mixture, composite powders of ZrB2-SiC formed. After leaching out MgO with suitable HCl water solution, the product was analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of Si, B4C, and Mg on the extent of formation of ZrB2, ZrB2-SiC, and other phases has been studied. Formation of nano-sized ZrB2 and ZrB2-SiC composite powders was identified. The adaptability of the process for bulk production was examined.


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Thermite assisted synthesis of ZrB2 and ZrB2-SiC through B4C reduction of ZrO2 and ZrSiO4 in air

Show Author's information R. V. KRISHNARAOa( )R. SANKARASUBRAMANIANa
Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Kanchanbagh, Hyderabad-500058, India

Abstract

ZrB2 and ZrB2-SiC powders have been produced by reducing ZrO2 and ZrSiO4 with B4C without using any furnace. Magnesium was added to the mixtures of (ZrO2+B4C) and (ZrSiO4+B4C). The reaction has been assisted by a floral thermite packed around the compacts. By introducing elemental Si into (ZrO2+B4C) mixture, composite powders of ZrB2-SiC formed. After leaching out MgO with suitable HCl water solution, the product was analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of Si, B4C, and Mg on the extent of formation of ZrB2, ZrB2-SiC, and other phases has been studied. Formation of nano-sized ZrB2 and ZrB2-SiC composite powders was identified. The adaptability of the process for bulk production was examined.

Keywords: composites, synthesis, ZrB2, ZrO2, zircon (ZrSiO4)

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Publication history

Received: 20 January 2017
Revised: 03 March 2017
Accepted: 21 March 2017
Published: 16 June 2017
Issue date: June 2017

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© The author(s) 2017

Acknowledgements

Authors acknowledge the financial support from the Defence Research and Development Organization, Ministry of Defence, Government of India, New Delhi, in order to carry out the present study under project 295. They are grateful to the Director, Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Hyderabad, for his constant encouragement. The authors acknowledge the support of ACG, XRD, and SEM groups of Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory.

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