Taguchi analysis on the effect of process parameters on densification during spark plasma sintering of HfB2-20SiC

Field assisted sintering (FAST) has emerged as a useful technique to densify ultra high temperature ceramics like HfB2-20SiC to a high density at relatively low temperatures and shorter times. The effect of various process variables on the densification during spark plasma sintering of HfB2-20SiC was studied using Taguchi analysis. The statistical analysis identified sintering temperature as the most significant parameter affecting the densification of HfB2-20SiC material. A density of 99% was achieved on sintering at 2373 K for 8 min at 30 kN pressure and heating rate of 100 K/min.

► Critical process parameters effecting the densification during spark plasma sintering of HfB2-20SiC are identified.
► Taguchi analysis identified temperature and time as the major processing variables affecting the sinter density.
► The contribution of temperature and time on sintered density of the sample was estimated as 64.85 and 21.29% respectively.