@article{Liu2026, 
author = {Lehao Liu and Yingjun Liu and Yuhan Yao and Yufei Zu and Zhaofu Zhang and Jianjun Sha and Yang Zhang and Hongfeng Dong and Nan Zhang and Shujing Zhang and Ning Zhang and Wenhao Yue and Yibo Zhang and Wuhao Cao and Yuan Hu and Ruiheng An and Wenhu Li and Luyi Zhu and Taotao Ai},
title = {Ultrafast low-temperature fabrication of strong and tough high-entropy borides-based ceramics via reactive ZrSi2-assisted heavy direct current sintering},
year = {2026},
journal = {Journal of Advanced Ceramics},
keywords = {high-entropy borides, mechanical properties, core-shell structure, ultrafast sintering, low temperature densification},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.26599/JAC.2026.9221322},
doi = {10.26599/JAC.2026.9221322},
abstract = {The ultra-high sintering temperatures required for high-entropy borides (HEB) pose a significant challenge to their processing and practical application. This study introduces an efficient low-temperature fabrication route for dense HEB-based ceramics using reactive ZrSi2-assisted heavy direct current sintering, with a maximum heating rate exceeding 3700 °C/min. A porosity of 1.60 ± 0.61% can be achieved at a sintering temperature of 1000 °C, which is reduced by 600-1000 °C compared to state-of-the-art spark plasma sintering/field-assisted sintering techniques processing of HEBs. Microstructural analysis revealed interdiffusion between HEB and ZrSi2, leading to a core-shell HEB architecture and layered high-entropy silicides. Meanwhile, dislocations and non-uniform stress fields were observed within the HEB grains. These microstructural features synergistically inhibit crack propagation and promote crack deflection and branching. Consequently, both flexural strength and fracture toughness are significantly enhanced. A flexural strength of 963 MPa was attained at 1400 °C, and a fracture toughness of 7.4 MPa·m1/2 was achieved at 1500 °C, surpassing most reported HEB-based ceramics. These results demonstrate that reactive ZrSi2-assisted heavy direct current sintering is a profoundly effective approach for low-temperature manufacturing of high-performance HEB-based ceramics.}
}