Densification behavior of flash sintered boron suboxide

A study to quantify the flash sintering kinetics of boron suboxide (B₆O) under various electric field strengths and cut‐off amperages is presented. B₆O is conventionally sintered at a prolonged temperature above 1800°C, near its thermal decomposition temperature, with an overpressure >3 atm. By applying a direct current (DC) electric field across a green powder compact, B₆O can be sintered at 1000°C at atmospheric pressure. During the flash sintering process, an intensive radiation was emitted (electroluminescence), which is distinct from the thermal radiation (thermoluminescence) that is expected in conventional sintering. It was observed that the degree of sintering of the large B₆O specimen was heterogeneous due to apparent localization of electrically conducting paths. The material near the surface was sintered, but the core of the specimen was not. It was found that the flash event occurred at a critical temperature, which was obtained by combining external heating via ambient furnace conditions and internal Joule heating. The progressive densification behaviors of the B₆O are also presented.