Study of static and dynamic behavior of TiB2–B4C composite

The microstructure and phase analysis of TiB2–B4C composite were investigated by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques, and the mechanical properties were studied by improved experimental facilities under quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions. Results show that regular grain of TiB2 is distributed uniformly in the grown grain of B4C, and the fracture mechanism of TiB2–B4C composite includes intergranular fracture and transcrystalline fracture. In tensile tests, the Flattened Brazilian Disc (FBD) method was introduced to reduce stress concentration between the platens of the test machine and circular boundaries of the specimen. The results of 2D-DIC method show a good agreement with the data obtained by strain gauges, thus proved the validity of the improved experiment facilities. Meanwhile, both the tensile and compressive strength increase with the increasing of strain rates. The reason is mainly attributed to the presence of TiB2 addition which serves as a strengthening and toughening agent. The comparison of strength and microstructure among the TiB2–B4C composite, the pure B4C and the pure TiB2 show that the mechanical properties were dominated by the microstructure and fracture mode of the composite. [Display omitted] •The improved experimental facility was verified by the 2D digital image correlation technique.•The strength and elastic modulus of TiB2–B4C composite at different strain rates was acquired.•Higher compressive strength of TiB2–B4C composite than pure B4C and pure TiB2 is affected by microstructure and fracture mode.•Strain rate sensitivity of TiB2–B4C composite is attributed to the presence of TiB2 phase.