Effect of porosity and grain size on the mechanical properties of hot-pressed boron carbide

Conclusions An investigation was carried out into the effect of porosity in the range 2–46% and grain size in the range (5–140)·10^–6 m on the mechanical properties of boron carbide. It is shown that the level of mechanical properties of boron carbide produced by hot pressing from powders synthesized from the elements is 1.5 times higher than that of boron carbide produced by other methods. Increasing the porosity of boron carbide to 46% decreases its strength by a factor of six or seven. Increasing the grain size to 140·10^–6 m has the same effect. An analysis is made of equations describing the dependence of the mechanical properties of boron carbide on porosity and grain size. The constants of these equations have been determined.Translated from Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya, No. 1(229), pp. 63–67, January, 1982.