Synthesis and characterization of Al2O3 - ZrO2-based eutectic ceramic powder material dispersion-hardened with ZrB2 and WB particles prepared by SHS

Method of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) was used to obtain ceramic powder material based on Al2O3-ZrO2-WB/ZrB2 system with size of particles ranging from 10 to 200 µm. The routes of chemical reactions taking place in the process of synthesis depending on the source mixture composition have been determined. It was shown that the formation of zirconium boride strengthening phase depends on the content of source components В and W and combustion temperature of mixture. The analysis of microstructure has shown that powder particles feature complex composite structure consisting of oxide eutectics of Al2O3-ZrO2, individual phases of aluminum oxide and zirconium oxide as well as particles of WB and/or ZrB2. The technological properties of produced powders have been investigated.