Densification mechanisms during hot pressing of ZrB2–20 vol.% SiC composite

The dominant densification mechanisms for hot pressing of ZrB2–20 vol.% SiC composite at different hot-pressing temperatures and pressures was identified. The dominant densification mechanisms were found to change over a very short temperature range. For hot pressing at 1700 °C, the dominant densification mechanism was found to be mechanically driven particle fragmentation and rearrangement only, whereas at 1850 °C a plastic flow mechanism started to become dominant after initial particle fragmentation and rearrangement. At 2000 °C, the dominant mechanism changed from plastic flow to grain boundary diffusion.