Fabrication of laminated TiB_2-B_4C/Cu-Ni composites by electroplating and spark plasma sintering

We proposed a new method, electroplating followed by spark plasma sintering(SPS), to fabricate laminated TiB_2-B_4 C/Cu-Ni composites with high strength and high toughness. It is found that a thin intermediate Cu layer can effectively enhance the strength of the interface between the ceramics and the metals, resulting in a high flexural strength and toughness of the laminated TiB_2-B_4 C composites simultaneously. A flexural strength and fracture toughness of 651 MPa and 11.6 MPam~(1/2) respectively,are achieved, an approximately 90% improvement over TiB_2-B_4 C bulk.