In-situ synthesis and densification of boron carbide and boron carbide-graphene nanoplatelet composite by reactive spark plasma sintering

Simultaneous synthesis and densification of boron carbide and boron carbide- graphene nano platelets (GNP) were carried out by reactive spark plasma sintering of amorphous boron and graphene nano platelets at temperature ranging from 1200 to 1600?°C, pressure of 50?MPa and heating rate of 50?°C/min and 100?°C/min. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the formation of required phases. Electron microscopic images revealed the formation of sub-micron and nano sized grains of plate like morphology. Sintered product with high relative density of 96%TD was achieved at a temperature of 1600?°C and heating rate of 50?°C/min for B₄C stoichiometric composition and also exhibited maximum hardness of 21.10?GPa.