Effect of sintering parameters on mechanical properties and microstructures of B 4 C/TiB 2 ceramic composites

B 4 C/TiB 2 ceramic composites were fabricated using in-situ reaction and hot-pressing. The effects of sintering parameters on mechanical properties and microstructures of B 4 C/TiB 2 ceramic composites are analyzed and discussed. Composites sintered at 1950°C for 60 min exhibited good mechanical properties. The relationship between bending strength and sintering parameters was similar to that between indentation fracture resistance and sintering parameters. The relationship between Vickers hardness and sintering parameters was consistent with that between relative density and sintering parameters. Analysis of microstructures indicated that the mechanical properties of B 4 C/TiB 2 ceramic composites were affected by the porosity, interface bonding among grains, development of grains and fracture mechanism of the composites.