Electrical and thermophysical properties of ZrB2 and HfB2 based composites

Electrical resistivities, thermal conductivities and thermal expansion coefficients of hot-pressed ZrB2–SiC, ZrB2–SiC–Si3N4, ZrB2–ZrC–SiC–Si3N4 and HfB2–SiC composites have been evaluated. Effects of Si3N4 and ZrC additions on electrical and thermophysical properties of ZrB2–SiC composite have been investigated. Further, properties of ZrB2–SiC and HfB2–SiC composites have been compared. Electrical resistivities (at 25 °C), thermal conductivities (between 25 and 1300 °C) and thermal expansion coefficients (over 25–1000 °C) have been determined by four-probe method, laser flash method and thermo-mechanical analyzer, respectively. Experimental results have shown reasonable agreement with theoretical predictions. Electrical resistivities of ZrB2-based composites are lower than that of HfB2–SiC composite. Thermal conductivity of ZrB2 increases with addition of SiC, while it decreases on ZrC addition, which is explained considering relative contributions of electrons and phonons to thermal transport. As expected, thermal expansion coefficient of each composite is reduced by SiC additions in 25–200 °C range, while it exceeds theoretical values at higher temperatures.