Double SHS of ZrB2 powder

Production of ZrB₂ powder through self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) from ZrO₂, Mg and H₃BO₃ mixture often leads to incomplete conversion. A new technique, called DSHS (double SHS) has been developed, wherein the reaction product of the first SHS is mixed with calculated amounts of Mg and H₃BO₃ powder and subjected to a second SHS. The ZrB₂ powder produced by DSHS technique yields increased conversion. The NaCl is used as a diluent during SHS to control the particle size of the product. The average particle size of SHS ZrB₂ powder found to be 75–125 nm in range, which decrease to 25–40 nm after DSHS.