Ultra‐High Temperature Mechanical Properties of a Zirconium Diboride–Zirconium Carbide Ceramic

The mechanical properties of a ZrB₂‐10 vol% ZrC ceramic were measured up to 2300°C in an argon atmosphere. Dense billets of ZrB₂‐9.5 vol% ZrC‐0.1 vol% C were produced by hot‐pressing at 1900°C. The ZrB₂ grain size was 4.9 μm and ZrC cluster size was 1.8 μm. Flexure strength was 695 MPa at ambient, decreasing to 300 MPa at 1600°C, increasing to 345 MPa at 1800°C and 2000°C, and then decreasing to 290 MPa at 2200°C and 2300°C. Fracture toughness was 4.8 MPa·m^½ at room temperature, decreasing to 3.4 MPa·m^½ at 1400°C, increasing to 4.5 MPa·m^½ at 1800°C, and decreasing to 3.6 MPa·m^½ at 2300°C. Elastic modulus calculated from the crosshead displacement was estimated to be 505 GPa at ambient, relatively unchanging to 1200°C, then decreasing linearly to 385 GPa at 1600°C, more slowly to 345 GPa at 2000°C, and then more rapidly to 260 GPa at 2300°C. Surface flaws resulting from machining damage were the critical flaw up to 1400°C. Above 1400°C, plasticity reduced the stress at the crack tip and the surface flaws experienced subcritical crack growth. Above 2000°C, microvoid coalescence ahead of the crack tip caused failure.