A new method for solid-state diffusion of boron atoms into powders of a multicomponent carbide

Multicomponent boron-containing carbide (ie, Zr-Ti-C-B) composites show good ablation resistance. The present work is the first report to introduce the powder fabrication of Zr-Ti-C-B using a new method for solid-state diffusion of boron atoms. First, the nonstoichiometric carbide (ie, Zr_0.8Ti_0.2C_0.8) with carbon vacancies was fabricated by free-pressureless spark plasma sintering. Different boron sources such as B₂O₃, B, and B₄C were used to react with the nonstoichiometric carbide. The Zr_0.81Ti_0.19C_0.86B_0.14 can be finally generated through the solid-state diffusion of boron atoms using the B₂O₃ boron source at 1300°C followed by carbon thermal reduction using the phenolic resins at 1600°C.