Spark plasma sintering of ZrC–SiC ceramics with LiYO2 additive

Spark plasma sintering (SPS) of ZrC–SiC composite powders in the presence of LiYO2 sintering additive was studied. The starting powders were obtained by a carbothermal reduction (CTR) of natural mineral zircon (ZrSiO4), which provided an intimate mixing of in-situ created ZrC and SiC powders. This composite powder and LiYO2 as additive were densified by spark plasma sintering. Microstructural features of the composite were investigated by XRD, SEM/EDS and AFM analysis. The sintered composite material possesses promising mechanical properties and excellent cavitation resistance which was observed with a cavitation erosion test. The values of Vickers microhardness and fracture toughness of the composite material are 20.7 GPa and 5.07 MPam1/2, respectively.