Self-propagating high-temperature synthesis of a zirconium diboride–alumina composite: a dynamic X-ray diffraction study

Abstract

A time-resolved X-ray diffraction study during the formation of a zirconium diboride (ZrB₂)–alumina (Al₂O₃) composite from zirconium dioxide, Al and boron oxide by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) has been carried out. During the formation of the composite, solid solutions of Al in ZrB₂ form, with a slight change in the lattice parameters of ZrB₂, during the SHS reaction and finally form a ZrB₂–Al₂O₃ composite powder. Dendritic growth of ZrB₂ was also observed during the synthesis.

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge Dr D. Yu. Kovalev and Dr V.I. Ponomarev for their kind help during the time-resolved dynamic XRD studies and A. G. Merzhanov for useful discussions. The authors also acknowledge the Department of Science & Technology India, as this work was taken under the International Long Term Plan programme for Indo-Russian Collaboration.