Simultaneous Synthesis and Consolidation of Nanostructured ZrB₂–ZrO₂ Composite

A dense nanostructured 2ZrB2–ZrO2 composite was synthesized by the high-frequency inductionheated combustion synthesis (HFIHCS) method within 2 min in one step from mechanically activated powders of 2B2O3 and 3Zr. Simultaneous combustion synthesis and densification were accomplished under the combined effects of the induced current and mechanical pressure. A highly dense 2ZrB2–ZrO2 composite with relative density of up to 95.5% was produced under the simultaneous application of a pressure of 80 MPa and the induced current. The average grain size and mechanical properties (hardness and fracture toughness) of the composite were investigated.