Combustion and formation behavior of hybrid ZrB2 and ZrC particles in Al-Zr-B4C system during self-propagation high temperature synthesis

► Hybrid ZrB2 and ZrC particles were prepared by SHS from Al-Zr-B4C system. ► The formation behavior of ZrB2 and ZrC particles was discussed. ► The synthesized ZrB2 and ZrC particles were determined to be nano-scale. ► Al not only prevents the synthesized products from growing but also promotes the SHS reaction.