Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis of ZrO2–ZrB2–ZrC Composite Material

Abstract—Using a method of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis, composite materials based on zirconium oxide stabilized with yttrium oxide are obtained. The content of the yttrium oxide stabilizing additive in the ratio of (1 – x)ZrO2 – xY2O3 corresponds to x $$ \in $$ [0; 9] mol %. Thermodynamic calculations of the adiabatic temperature of combustion of the studied compositions are carried out. Calculations are given for cases that take into account various options for melting of synthesis products. According to calculations, the introduction of the yttrium oxide stabilizing additive affects the combustion temperature of the studied materials. For example, the introduction of yttrium oxide in an amount corresponding to x = 1 mol % sharply increases the combustion temperature. A further increase in the concentration of yttrium oxide in the initial materials leads to a monotonic decrease in the adiabatic temperature of combustion. The results of experimental study of the combustion temperature of the studied materials show that the actual dependence of the specified parameter on the content of yttrium oxide in the initial materials has a character similar to the theoretical one. The introduction of a yttrium oxide stabilizing additive into the initial mixture leads to an increase in the amount of tetragonal modification of zirconium oxide in the synthesis products. Moreover, it is established that, in addition to monoclinic and tetragonal zirconium oxide, the synthesis products contain zirconium carbide and diboride. It is shown that zirconium oxide is a matrix containing uniformly distributed particles of zirconium carbide and diboride.