Effect of boron addition on microstructure,mechanical properties and oxidation resistance of TaC ceramics

TaC ceramics with 0.03–0.60?wt% of boron additions were prepared by hot pressing at 2100?°C for 1?h under a pressure of 40?MPa. Effects of boron content on densification, phase composition, microstructure, mechanical properties and oxidation resistance of the TaC ceramics were investigated. When the boron content was 0.12?wt% and above, full density was obtained due to reactions between boron and oxygen impurity at presence of TaC. Minor phases of TaB₂ and C were formed in the 0.24 and 0.60?wt% B compositions after gas-out of the oxygen impurity. Microstructure of the TaC ceramics was refined with increasing in boron content. The TaC ceramic with 0.24?wt% of boron showed the best mechanical properties with a Vickers hardness, flexural strength and fracture toughness of 17.7?GPa, 534?MPa and 4.6?MPa?m^1/2, respectively. When more boron was added, interfacial bonding of the TaC grains was strengthened causing a decrease in fracture toughness. Oxidation resistance of the TaC ceramics increased with boron content. Particularly, the 0.60?wt% B composition showed a weight gain of 0.0018?g/cm² after oxidization at 800?°C in air for 3?h.