Flash sintering feasibility study and localized densification in boron carbide

Abstract

The feasibility of flash sintering boron carbide (B4C) was investigated using a direct current (DC) electric field across different electrodes, field strengths, and thermal profiles. Flash behavior was observed at furnace temperatures as low as 386°C with field strengths of 68‐278 V/cm, but only a small channel of the specimen was densified due to hot spot effects. Application of a 2.2 V/cm·s voltage ramp at a constant temperature of 550°C caused uniform heating, but at temperatures too low for sintering. Scalable densification of B4C at low furnace temperatures with flash sintering is theorized to be possible by applying a higher current density through power supply or specimen modifications.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Apr 24, 2021
Source ID
10.1111/jace.17833

Entities

People

  • Andrew Rosenberger
  • Aubrey L. Fry
  • Raymond E. Brennan

Organizations

  • Pennsylvania State University
  • United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command
  • United States Army Research Laboratory

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Plasma Physics.
  • Surface Engineering/Surface Coating Technology.
  • Thermal Physics or Thermal Science.