Synthesis of boron carbide powder using an indirect plasma torch and investigation of the properties of a composite based on it

Boron carbide B 4 C powders were obtained by a vacuum-free method using an indirect plasma torch. The dependences of the effect of the duration of plasma exposure from 60 to 180 s and the mass of the charge containing boron and carbon powders from 0.5 to 1.5 g on the phase composition of the synthesis product are investigated. A composite based on synthesized boron carbide with the addition of silicon carbide in an amount of 15 % was consolidated by spark plasma sintering. The mechanical and thermophysical properties of the B 4 C‒15 % SiC composite have been studied. In addition, the oxidative properties of the resulting composite in the range of 300-900 ° C have been studied. Ill. 8. Ref. 29. Tab. 1.