Microhardness and high-velocity impact resistance of HfB2/SiC and ZrB2/SiC composites

The results of Vickers microhardness and high-velocity impact tests on monolithic ZrB2/SiC and HfB2/SiC ultra-high temperature ceramic (UHTC) composites are presented. The UHTC materials exhibit fracture behavior typical of ceramics under indentation and impact loading. The materials are relatively hard with microhardness values of about 15 to 20 GPa. Cracks were observed to extend from the corners of indentations. Impacts of stainless steel and tungsten carbide spheres, with diameters in the 500 to 800 micron range and velocities of 200 to 300 m/s, produced minimal plastic deformation but significant radial and ring cracking at the impact sites. Impacts of micron-scale iron particles traveling at 1 to 3 km/s produced essentially no surface damage.