Synergetic and alone influence of graphite platelet and SiC on the oxidation resistance of ZrB2 ceramics
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study investigates how adding graphite platelets (GP), with and without SiC, affects the oxidation resistance of ZrB₂ ceramics. The specimens—ZrB₂-10GP, ZrB₂-15GP, ZrB₂-15SiC, ZrB₂-30SiC, ZrB₂-30SiC-10GP, and ZrB₂-30SiC-15GP—were sintered at 1850 °C for 8 min via spark plasma sintering (SPS). For oxidation evaluation, the samples were exposed to air in the furnace at a temperature of 1450 °C for different times (30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 300 min). Also, the simultaneous thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) up to 1200 °C were applied to investigate the in situ oxidation. FESEM and EDS were utilized to perform microstructural and elemental analyses on the cross-sections of various oxide layers. It was disclosed that the GP and SiC both improve the oxidation resistance. The best oxidation resistances were obtained in the ZrB₂-30SiC and ZrB₂-30SiC-10GP with the lowest oxidation layer thicknesses of 38 ± 3 µm and 40 ± 4 µm, respectively. Also, the lowest oxidation resistance was obtained in pure ZrB2 with the highest oxide layer thickness of 129 ± 5 µm. The formation of an adherent oxide layer is the dominant factor for improving the oxidation resistance. The oxidation mechanism of all samples except ZrB2 was diffusion oxygen-controlled with a parabolic behavior. Also, TGA and DTA analysis showed a mass loss at the initial stage ( $$\sim$$ 200°C ), followed by mass gain at 709 °C and 1065°C.
Source: Scientific Reports
Authors: Hamze Ghanbari Nezhad, Zohre Balak
Institution: Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz Branch
Language: English
Subfield: Ceramics and Composites
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,690
OpenAlex ID: W4416595390