Preparation of B4C-ZrB2-SiC eutectic ceramics by arc melting method

The B₄C-ZrB₂-SiC ternary composites with super hard and high toughness were obtained by arc melting in argon atmosphere. Microstructures were observed by SEM, and phase compositions were analyzed by XRD. The hardness and fracture toughness of ternary composites are 28 GPa and 4.5 MPa·m^1/2. The eutectic mole composition is 0.39B₄C-0.25ZrB₂-0.36SiC, and the eutectic lamellar microstructure is composed of B₄C matrix with the lamellar ZrB₂ and SiC grains.