Textured and platelet-reinforced ZrB2-based ultra-high-temperature ceramics

Textured and platelet-reinforced ZrB2-based ultra-high-temperature ceramics (UHTCs) are prepared via reactive hot pressing and successive hot forging. The textured materials display significantly anisotropic mechanical properties, and the flexural strength has been improved by 52% owing to the orderly arrangement of platelet ZrB2 grains. The texturing of ZrB2-based platelet composites should open up an effective approach to optimizing the properties of ZrB2-based UHTCs.