Reactive Hot‐Pressing and Flexural Strength of Z r B 2 ‐ Z r C x ‐ Z r‐Based Cermets with S i C Additives

In this study, Z r B 2 ‐ Z r C x ‐ Z r cermets with 20 vol% S i C additives were prepared via reactive hot‐pressing of Z r +  B 4 C  +  S i C powder mixtures. Relative density exceeding 95% was obtained for the sintered cermets with 10 vol% excess Z r and without excess Z r. The resulting cermets composed of Z r B 2 , Z r C x , and S i C primary phases and zirconium silicide secondary phase. The presence of excess Z r improved densification of cermets as well as promoted formation of zirconium silicide. However, excess Z r led to the lowered room temperature flexural strength. The room temperature flexural strength of cermets was in the range of 384.2−409.2 MPa.