| The research was aimed for improving the mechanical properties of reaction bonded
boron carbide (RBBC) through use of two boron carbide (B4C) powders in the initial
preform. Experimental results show that the Young’s modulus, Knoop hardness, and
flexural strength of RBBC, produced with the combination of two powders, are greater
by ~15.2%, ~33.8% and ~15.5%, respectively, compared to that produced with single,
i.e. fine B4C powder. The increase in ceramic phase (B4C and B4C+SiC) and reduction
in residual Si content in the RBBC produced with mixed powders lead to an
enhancement in its mechanical properties. Both RBBC exhibit indentation size effect
and such characteristics are corroborated by their respective brittleness index.
[Keywords: Particle size, RBBC, Microstructure, Mechanical properties, Indentation
size effect] |
