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Multi-phase ceramics based on ZrB2, TiB2 and doped with CrB2 and SiC were prepared by powder metallurgy and hot pressing to explore the possibility of obtaining multi-scale microstructures by super-saturation of complex (Zr,Ti,Cr)B2 solid solutions. Core–shell structures formed in TiB2 grains, whereas ZrB2 appeared to form a homogeneous solid solution with the other metals. Precipitation of nano-inclusions within both micron-sized borides was assessed by transmission electron microscopy and thermodynamics elucidated the preferential formation of boride inclusions due to the specific sintering atmosphere. In addition, atomic size factors explicated the precipitation of CrB2 nano-particles into ZrB2-rich grains and of ZrB2 nano-particles into TiB2-rich grains. The hardness of the constituent phases measured by nanoindentation ranged from 36 to 43 GPa.


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Multi-phase (Zr,Ti,Cr)B2 solid solutions: Preparation, multi-scale microstructure, and local properties

Show Author's information Laura Silvestronia( )Nicola GillibAlex SangiorgiaAlessandro CorozziaSuzana FilipovićcNina ObradovićcLaia Ortiz-MembradodEmilio Jiménez-PiquédWilliam G. Fahrenholtze
CNR-ISSMC, Institute of Science, Technology and Sustainability for Ceramics (former ISTEC), Via Granarolo 64, 48018 Faenza, Italy
CNR-IMM, Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems, Via Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy
Institute of Technical Sciences of SASA, Knez Mihailova 35/IV, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, EEBE, Univ. Politècnica de Catalunya-BarcelonaTECH. Avda. Eduard Maristany 16, 08019 Barcelona, Spain
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO 65049, USA

Abstract

Multi-phase ceramics based on ZrB2, TiB2 and doped with CrB2 and SiC were prepared by powder metallurgy and hot pressing to explore the possibility of obtaining multi-scale microstructures by super-saturation of complex (Zr,Ti,Cr)B2 solid solutions. Core–shell structures formed in TiB2 grains, whereas ZrB2 appeared to form a homogeneous solid solution with the other metals. Precipitation of nano-inclusions within both micron-sized borides was assessed by transmission electron microscopy and thermodynamics elucidated the preferential formation of boride inclusions due to the specific sintering atmosphere. In addition, atomic size factors explicated the precipitation of CrB2 nano-particles into ZrB2-rich grains and of ZrB2 nano-particles into TiB2-rich grains. The hardness of the constituent phases measured by nanoindentation ranged from 36 to 43 GPa.

Keywords: nanoindentation, sintering, solid solution, core–shell, boride

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Received: 23 August 2022
Revised: 10 November 2022
Accepted: 10 November 2022
Published: 11 January 2023
Issue date: February 2023

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© The Author(s) 2022.

Acknowledgements

This research was partially sponsored by the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme under grant MYP-G5767 (SUSPENCE) and by the US AFOSR through the grant no. FA9550-21-1-0399 (NACREOUS) with Dr. Ming-Jen Pan as contract monitor. J. Rogan from the University of Belgrade is greatly acknowledged for supply of laboratory facilities. NG acknowledges the support received by JECS Trust for a mobility grant (ref. 2020240) of three months at UPC, Spain. Nanoindentation tests were funded through The Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities through grant PGC-2018-096855-B-C41. S. Guicciardi (CNR-ISMAR) is acknowledged for discussion on nanoindentation.

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