Spark plasma sintering and mechanical behaviour of ZrC-based composites

ZrC materials containing MoSi2 as a sintering aid in the volumetric range 0–9 vol.% were fully consolidated by spark plasma sintering at temperatures between 1750 and 2100 °C. Addition of MoSi2 resulted in a decrease in the sintering temperature, refinement of the microstructure and improvement of the mechanical properties in comparison with the monolithic material. Hardness values were in the range 25–28 GPa, Young’s modulus was in the range 420–470 GPa and the flexural strength was in the range 400–600 MPa.