Sintering Aids in the Consolidation of Boron Carbide (B4C) by the Plasma Pressure Compaction (P2C) Method
Release time:
2018-08-02
Boron carbide (B4C) powder has been densified by a novel method of powder consolidation known as Plasma Pressure Compaction (P2C). The P2C
technique allows for rapid consolidation of powder by Joule heating of
the powder bed. Powder is placed in graphite dies, and uniaxial pressure
and low-voltage, high-amperage (10 V, 5000 amps maximum) direct current
are applied to achieve densification. Pure B4C powder was
consolidated at lower temperature and hold time to densities equal to
those achieved by conventional hot pressing. With the addition of a
small amount of alumina (Al2O3) as a sintering aid, densities as high as 97% theoretical were attained.
