Optimization of effective parameters on thermal shock resistance of ZrB2-SiC-based composites prepared by SPS: Using Taguchi design

Thermal shock optimization of ZrB2-SiC-based composites is the main goal of this research. Different additives such SiC, Cf, MoSi2, HfB2 and ZrC, SPS conditions (temperature, time and pressure) and milling time of Cf were chosen as survey factors. Each of these factors was examined on four levels to obtain the optimum levels. So, according to very high experimental runs (49), Taguchi design was applied. Spark plasma sintering (SPS) was used for sintering. Repeated thermal shock test was carried out on all composites. One cycle consisted of heating up to 1500C, holding for 15 min in this temperature and quenching to water. This cycle was conducted for each composite till the initiation of crack was observed by optical microscopy. Then, Taguchi design was applied to determine the effect of each factor and their optimum level on thermal shock resistance.